Greytown Railway Station

Infobox Station
name=Greytown
type=New Zealand Government Railways Department regional rail


image_size=
image_caption=Greytown station yard. The station building and platform were to the left, where the large trees are.
address=230 West Street, Greytown
coordinates= coord|41|5|20|S|175|26|55|E|type:railwaystation_region:NZ
line=Greytown Branch
other=
structure=
platform=Single
levels=
tracks=1 branch line, 2 loops
parking=
bicycle=
baggage_check=Yes
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
pass_system=
opened=14 May 1880
closed=24 December 1953, on closure of the Greytown Branch line
rebuilt=
electrified=
ADA=
code=
owned=Railways Department
zone=
former=
services=
mpassengers=

Greytown railway station was the terminus of the Greytown Branch railway, which connected the Wairarapa town of Greytown in New Zealand’s North Island to Woodside on the Wairarapa Line.

History

In 1878, parliament authorised the construction of the Greytown Branch, and the following year, after the completion of a survey, plans were drawn up and tenders called for. The contract for the construction of the Greytown station building, goods shed and locomotive shed was let to Ebenezer Gray for £1183. Construction was completed on time.

The opening of the line on 14 May 1880 was to have been a grand affair, with a parade led by a brass band, followed by local charitable societies, school children and the general public. These festivities were to have been followed by sporting events including teams from Wellington and Greytown. Foul weather on the day meant that much of what had been planned was cancelled, and the first train from Wellington brought with it few visitors.

Until the opening to Masterton on 1 November 1880, Greytown was the effective northern terminus of the Wairarapa Line. The Greytown to Woodside section then became a branch railway.

Today

With the closure of the Greytown Branch in 1953, the locomotive shed was demolished and the station building was relocated by train to Woodside to serve as a goods shed, where it remains. Greytown goods shed survives on its original site, but there have been proposals to move it to the railway heritage precinct at Carterton Railway Station.

The station yard is at the southern end of West Street in Greytown, and is noticeable by the large hump in the road as you pass the goods shed. A road transport company and row of large trees now occupy much of the yard and where the station building used to be.

Gallery

References

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