OUR HISTORY

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 272, 31 January 1989, Page 9

OUR HISTORY

With last week's derailment of the Silver Fern at Tangiwai and speculation about the future of railways in New Zealand the subject of rail travel has got to be the topic for this week's 'Our History' column.

It is interesting (but sad) to compare the hopes and expectations people had for the future of railways 80 years ago (as expressed through the columns of the Waimarino County Call in January 1908 when construction of the Main Trunk Line reached our region) with the current mood of despair and doubt about the continuing viability of rail travel, at least as far as passengers are concerned. Back in 1908 optimism and enthusiasm prevailed and construction of the Main Trunk Line progressed through the central North Island. The local paper reported on every facet of this approaching facility which was to link the Waimarino with major cities and settlements to the north and south. Hcre are some of the news items as reported in the Waimarino County Call of 1908. 1/ Ohakune Station "Great activity prevails at this station and, judging from the work in hand, it is evident that the Railways Department has designed the station for one of more than ordinary importance. The stationmaster's house is well advanced and a good start has been made with the passenger station. Provision has been made for the construction of an engine shed

which conclusively points to the intention of the Department making this station a sub-terminal. It is said that a turntable is to be constructed. Men are now busily engaged levelling the yard and making preparation for the laying down of five or six times of rail. It is conjectured that directly the engine shed and station buildings are completed, trains will leave the Ohakune station every morning enabling passengers to reach Wellington or New Plymouth the same day. The Raetihi and Ohakune Progressive Associations should be up and doing to induce the Government to run

an evening train to Ohakune to permit of mails and passengers being brought through from Wellington in the one day." (W.C.C. Wednesday 8 January 1908). 2/ Station Tea Rooms "Passengers arriving at the Ohakune railway platform will doubtless appreciatc the tearooms which have been opened immediately adjoining the line. During the short visit tea and other refreshments will be available in this room for train passengers." (Waimarino County Call 8 January 1908) ( Note: These tea rooms which continued operating until the early 1960's were popular with local residents wanting late night refreshments which were available to passengers on the overnight trains.

The Overland Route The Railway Department is now booking passengers by rail and coach from Wellington to Auckland and viceversa. The through journey occupies three days. Passengers leave by the Manawatu Company's train at 7.50 am arriving at Taihape at 5.10 pm where they halt for the night. They leave next morning by the 8.30 train . arriving at the Ohakune platform about 11.30. At this point of the line, Messrs Crowther and McCauley's Jopps, and Littlewoods coaches are waiting to convey the crowd of passengers now travelling to the northern railhead, the Waimarino station (renamed National Park when the Main Trunk Line was completed) some 18 miles distance from the Ohakune platform.

Taumarunui is reached on the second day, the passengers resuming their journey by the early morning train and Auckland being reached at about 4pm on the third day. The Department, with a view to encouraging persons to use the railway as against the sea route (between Auckland and Wellington) is issuing combined rail and road tickets at a low rate. For some time to come the coach proprietors may look for a rich harvest from the passenger traffic on the Main Trunk Line." (W.C.C. Wednesday 8 January 1908).