Halcombe railway station
{{short description|Defunct railway station in New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Halcombe railway station
| type =
| image = Halcombe c1878.jpg
| image_caption = Halcombe railway station about 1878
- drawn by Edith Halcombe
| address =
| country = New Zealand
| coordinates = {{coord|-40.146058|175.49484|region:NZ-MWT|display=inline,title}}
| elevation = {{convert|118|m|abbr=on}}
| owned =
| line = North Island Main Trunk
| distance = Wellington {{convert|165.73|km|abbr=on}}
| platform =
| tracks =
| other =
| structure =
| levels =
| parking =
| bicycle =
| accessible =
| code =
| zone =
| opened = {{start date|df=y|1878|4|22}}Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand by Juliet Scoble (2012)
| closed = {{end date|df=y|1983|3|27}}
| rebuilt =
| electrified = June 1988
| former =
| mpassengers =
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| services = {{s-rail|title=Historical railways}}
{{rail line
|previous=Kakariki
Line open, station closed
{{convert|5.48 |km|abbr=on}}
|next=Maewa
Line open, station closed
{{convert|7.12|km|abbr=on}}
|route=North Island Main Trunk
KiwiRail
}}
| embedded =
| mapframe =
| image_size =
| baggage_check =
}}
Halcombe railway station was a station on the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) in New Zealand, serving the village of Halcombe, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.{{cite book|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|publisher=Quail Map Co.|year=1965|edition=First|pages=3 & 4}}{{cite book|last=Pierre|first=Bill|title=North Island Main Trunk|publisher=A.H&A.W Reed|year=1981|isbn=0589013165|location=Wellington|pages=289–290}} It opened in 1878 and closed in 1983. Originally it was the main intermediate station on the {{Convert|85|mi|34|ch||abbr=on}} Whanganui to Foxton railway.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=21 Aug 1879|title=WANGANUI CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC18790821.2.2.3|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-08|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Only a single track remains through the station site,{{Cite web|title=Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-40.1438616,175.4936851,3a,37.5y,179.3h,88.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sB5P-J0Mb0YqpwW5AM7vpBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=2021-02-10|website=Google Maps|language=en}} as the passing loops here and at Kakariki were replaced by the Rangitawa loop, {{Convert|3.03|km||abbr=on}} to the north, on 14 December 1983.{{Cite web |url=http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf |title=Juliet Scoble: Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand |access-date=13 February 2021 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724032358/http://www.railheritage.org.nz/assets/dates_and_names.pdf |url-status=dead}}
History
The station had its first trains when the Feilding – Halcombe Section opened on Monday 22 April 1878.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=20 Apr 1878|title=PALMERSTON NORTH. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18780420.2.7|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} When the Halcombe – Marton Section completed the railway, linking the ports of Foxton and Whanganui, on Monday 20 May 1878, the mayor of Palmerston North declared a public holiday.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=22 May 1878|title=OPENING OF THE WANGANUI MANAWATU LINE. MANAWATU TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT18780522.2.11|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
William Nicholson's contract for a 5th class station started on 17 January 1877 and was completed on 14 April 1877{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stations|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209105947/http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Heritage_listings.pdf|archive-date=9 February 2021|access-date=2020-08-10|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en|url-status=dead}} for £157.5s.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=SCHEDULE of CONTRACTS for the CONSTRUCTION of RAILWAYS from 1st July, 1876. to 30th June, 1877|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1877/I/1047|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-08|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
When it was decided that Halcombe should be the refreshment stop on the line, that original station was moved to Greatford and a much larger, {{Convert|104|ft||abbr=on}} by {{Convert|20|ft||abbr=on}}, station was built{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=25 Jan 1878|title=HALCOMBE. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18780125.2.12|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} by J & C Bull. Their £2,845 9s 6d contract{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=SCHEDULE of CONTRACTS for the CONSTRUCTION of RAILWAYS from 1st July, 1877, to 30th June, 1878|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1878/I/704|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-08|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} got its final certificate on 23 August 1878 and was completed by 5 August 1879. To make way for expansion, the goods shed and loading bank were moved to a new site in 1881. By 1896 there was a special class station building, including refreshment rooms, a kitchen, {{Convert|180|ft||abbr=on}} long passenger platform, cart access to the platform, {{Convert|40|ft||abbr=on}} by {{Convert|30|ft||abbr=on}} goods shed, loading bank, cattle yards, stationmaster's house, urinals and a passing loop for 46 wagons. Two years later there were also sheep yards, a crane and a water service. Water tanks had been proposed in 1878, about 100 feet beyond the platform. In 1910, after the NIMT opened, the need for more office accommodation was noted and a veranda{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=30 Aug 1910|title=HALCOMBE. MANAWATU STANDARD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19100830.2.6.1|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and longer platform were requested,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=29 Jan 1908|title=HALCOMBE NOTES. WANGANUI CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19080129.2.39|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} but rejected.{{Cite book|last=Representatives|first=New Zealand Parliament House of|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m-kkAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22halcombe%22+railway&pg=PA448|title=Parliamentary Debates|date=1910|language=en}} There was a Post Office at the station from 1895 to 1914. A veranda was added in 1912{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=20 Nov 1912|title=HALCOMBE. RANGITIKEI ADVOCATE AND MANAWATU ARGUS|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RAMA19121120.2.51|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and was still in place in 1941.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Halcombe Railway Station in 1941|url=https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofPalmerstonNorthRailwayStation/photos/a.422806087831365/1633812803397348|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.facebook.com}} Gangers houses were built in 1916 and a State house in 1955.
An excursion train was derailed on the points at the station in 1902,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=15 Nov 1902|title=RAILWAY MISHAP. WAIRARAPA DAILY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT19021115.2.26|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} with its WD Class loco.{{Cite web|title=Train Derailment, Halcombe|url=https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/b3939a9e-386a-461d-89a1-2e422626057d|access-date=2021-02-06|website=manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz|language=en}}{{Cite news|title=Train derailment at Halcombe|language=en|url=https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/6d3295eb-d886-49da-be12-5ca2058607c2|access-date=2021-02-06}}
= Refreshment Rooms =
From the start the choice of Halcombe, rather than Marton, for a refreshment stop had been criticised, by both Marton{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=24 Apr 1878|title=MARTON. WANGANUI CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC18780424.2.8|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and Palmerston North,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 Apr 1878|title=PALMERSTON NORTH. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18780413.2.9|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} as had the route through Halcombe, rather than Sanson.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=5 May 1877|title=THE RAILWAY. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18770505.2.13|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Initially the trains spent over 40 minutes at the refreshment stop,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=30 Mar 1878|title=THE RAILWAY SERVICE. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18780330.2.8|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} but that was soon roughly halved.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=21 Aug 1879|title=WANGANUI CHRONICLE|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC18790821.2.2.3|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-06|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} The refreshment rooms were leased; for example, in 1883-4 the lease was £20 a year, but only £12 in 1898.{{Cite web|date=1898|title=AtoJs Online — Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives — 1898 Session I — D-11 RAILWAY REFRESHMENT-ROOMS (RENTS RECEIVED FOR).|url=https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1898-I.2.2.2.12|access-date=2021-02-28|website=atojs.natlib.govt.nz|language=en-NZ}} In 1878 they were run by the Halcombe Hotel.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 Aug 1878|title=HALCOMBE. WANGANUI HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18780803.2.8|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-13|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} From Saturday 24 December 1898 they were replaced by rooms at Marton.
= Services =
The line became part of the NIMT, when it fully opened in 1909, and Halcombe was one of the stopping points for Wellington to New Plymouth expresses in 1910{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 Mar 1910|title=RAILWAY TIME-TABLES. DOMINION|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19100328.2.82|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-29|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and in the 1940s.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 Apr 1941|title=PATEA MAIL|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PATM19410404.2.28.3|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-29|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} In the 1920s the station was staffed by a grade 7 clerk.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Railway Department Classification, 1923|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1923/I-II/1376|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-29|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
File:Chart_of_Halcombe_railway_station_passengers_1881-1950.png
Halcombe had its annual returns of traffic recorded, as did Greatford to the north and Feilding to the south.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1923|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1923/I-II/1321?large_image=true|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-11|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Passenger numbers grew initially and during the World Wars, before tailing off towards 1950, as shown in the graph and table below.
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!year !tickets !season tickets !staff !ref. |
| 1881
|4870 | |4 |
| 1882
|10056 | |4 |
| 1883
|9875 | |4 |
| 1884
|9606 | |4 |
| 1885
|6374 | |3 |
| 1886
|6204 | |3 |
| 1887
|5527 | |3 |
| 1888
|5217 | |3 |
| 1889
|5328 |1 |2 |
| 1890
|5564 |3 |3 |
| 1891
|5918 |3 |3 |
| 1892
|6021 |7 |3 |
| 1893
|7017 |15 |3 |
| 1894
|7361 |9 |3 |
| 1895
|7193 |3 |3 |
| 1896
| | | |Page 11 missing |
| 1897
|5343 |5 |3 |
| 1898
|5938 |5 |3 |
| 1899
|5706 |6 |3 |
| 1900
|5862 |8 |3 |
| 1901
| | | |Pages 30–35 missing |
| 1902
|7291 |2 |3 |
| 1903
|8658 |5 |3 |
| 1904
|8790 |15 |3 |
| 1905
|8747 |27 |3 |
| 1906
|9175 |13 |3 |
| 1907
|9897 |8 |3 |
| 1908
|9995 |2 |3 |
| 1909
|9245 |9 |11 |
| 1910
|9608 |2 |3 |
| 1911
|8957 |14 |3 |
| 1912
|9423 |29 |3 |
| 1913
|9666 |30 |4 |
| 1914
|9227 |28 | |
| 1915
|9245 |40 | |
| 1916
|8671 |17 | |
| 1917
|8685 |72 | |
| 1918
|10307 |130 | |
| 1919
|11461 |155 | |
| 1920
|11029 |133 | |
| 1921
|12039 |90 | |
| 1922
|9539 |123 | |
| 1923
|8393 |165 | |
| 1924
|7904 |100 | |
| 1925
|6371 |66 | |
| 1926
|6776 |118 | |
| 1927
|5835 |84 | |
| 1928
|4986 |73 | |
| 1929
|4791 |76 | |
| 1930
|4811 |108 | |
| 1931
|6319 |100 | |
| 1932
|6091 |96 | |
| 1933
|6758 |50 | |
| 1934
|6599 |55 | |
| 1935
|7036 |50 | |
| 1936
|7295 |58 | |
| 1937
|7633 |87 | |
| 1938
|7713 |206 | |
| 1939
|6941 |193 | |
| 1940
|7113 |58 | |
| 1941
|8060 |63 | |
| 1942
|8786 |69 | |
| 1943
|9649 |61 | |
| 1944
|9707 |76 | |
| 1945
|8513 |87 | |
| 1946
|8269 |68 | |
| 1947
|7538 |83 | |
| 1948
|6333 |90 | |
| 1949
|5749 |53 | |
| 1950
|5398 |39 | |
= Engine shed =
A large engine shed was built as part of the J & C Bull contract. Nathan & Wilkie built an extra engine shed and coal store for £795.10.4 in 1878-79. Initially a winch and chain was used to lift engines.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=1 Apr 1879|title=MANAWATU HERALD|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH18790401.2.7|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-13|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} Another shed seems to have been added in 1894.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 Jan 1894|title=NEW ZEALAND MAIL|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL18940112.2.47|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-13|website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}
= Closure =
From Saturday 6 December 1958 Halcombe was closed as an officered station. On Saturday 31 March 1962 the station building burnt down and a small storeroom was used as a temporary station. Removal of the goods shed and stockyards was approved in 1973. Most of the station buildings had gone by 1974,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 Mar 1974|title=Retrolens Survey Number: SN3720 Photo Number: 1|url=https://files.interpret.co.nz/Retrolens/Imagery/SN3720/Crown_3720_X_1/High.jpg|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}} though in 1980 a station building, platform and loading bank remained. On Sunday 27 March 1983 the station closed to all traffic, but a service siding remained.