Makotuku

Makotuku railway station was on the Palmerston North–Gisborne Line. Slow progress with the line from Napier and Spit was criticised,{{Cite news |date=7 April 1883|title=Meetings |newspaper=New Zealand Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZMAIL18830407.2.16|access-date=17 August 2021|via=Papers Past}} after the {{Convert|5|mi|22|ch|abbr=on}} extension of line opened from Kopua (the previous temporary terminus){{Cite periodical |title=PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. EDWARD RICHARDSON, 24th OCTOBER, 1884 |periodical=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives |page=42 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1884/II/590|access-date=2021-09-30|via=Papers Past}} via Ormondville on 9 August 1880. Makotuku remained the terminus until the {{Convert|4|mi|22|ch|abbr=on}} extension south to Matamau on 23 June 1884, which required construction of what is now the {{Convert|111|m|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|30|m|abbr=on}} high Matamau Viaduct.{{cite book|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|publisher=Quail Map Co.|year=1965 |pages=3 & 4}} In 1884 Makotuku had two trains a day, one of which continued south to Matamau.{{Cite news |date=30 July 1884|title=Railway Time Table |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |issue=4063 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DTN18840730.2.18.3|access-date=17 August 2021|via=Papers Past}} Various sawmillers used the railway, including Grey & Powers, Mr Gundrie, Mr Tower, Mathew & Co and F Sidney.

Initially the station would have been very spartan, as it wasn't until 25 August 1880 that authority was sought for furnishing the station and until 28 October to move Kopua goods shed to Makotuku and install a water supply. In 1881 a 5th class stationmaster's house, coal shed, and privy were added. From 1882 to 1918 there was a Post Office at the station. By 1884 there was an engine shed, but later that year there was a complaint when the goods shed was removed from Makotuku. By 1889 there was a {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} x {{Convert|15|ft|abbr=on}} goods shed (extended to {{Convert|43|ft|abbr=on}} by 1904). Stockyards were added in 1893 and by 1896 there was a 5th class station with luggage room, platform, cart approach, cattle yards, stationmaster's house, urinals, passing loop for 35 wagons, extended to 80 wagons in 1940. In 1898 sheep yards were added. In 1891 express trains started crossing at Makotuku. In 1904 the passing loop could take 34 wagons, extended in 1940 for 80 wagons. Railway housing was mentioned in reports in 1896 and 1937.{{Cite web |title=Station Archive|url=http://railheritage.org.nz/assets/Station_Archive_4web.xls|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 August 2020|website=NZR Rolling Stock Lists|language=en}} A verandah was added to the station building in 1911 and the platform was asphalted.{{Cite news |date=2 Nov 1911|title=COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE |newspaper=Bush Advocate |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BA19111102.2.12|access-date=2021-10-08|via=Papers Past}}

In 1965 it was noted there was one light on the platform and one over the stockyards. In 1968 the crossing loop was lifted. Passenger services ended on 31 May 1976 and goods on Sunday, 20 July 1980.Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand by Juliet Scoble (2012) By 1988 a small station building remained, but the platform had recently been demolished. In 2015 the loading bank remained{{Citation|last=((Anthony 851))|title=Makotuku Loading Bank|date=24 January 2015|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/84624351@N00/16278175888/|access-date=27 September 2021}}{{rs|date=April 2025}} and a single track runs through the station site.{{Cite web|date=Nov 2018|title=KiwiRail Network Map|url=https://kiwirail.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=556c4a9c73914fe1983529ddf9ae5099|access-date=2021-10-03|website=kiwirail.maps.arcgis.com}}

{{s-start|noclear=yes}}

{{s-note|text=Former adjoining stations}}

{{Rail line|previous=Matamau
Line open, station closed
{{convert|6.75|km|abbr=on}}|next=Ormondville
Line open, station closed
{{convert|2.95|km|abbr=on}}{{Cite book|last1=Yonge|first1=John Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsnRPgAACAAJ|title=New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas|date=1993|publisher=Quail Map Company|isbn=9780900609923|language=en}}|route=Palmerston North–Gisborne Line|col={{BR(E) colour}}}}

{{s-end}}

James{{Cite news |date=6 Jul 1886|title=Advertisements |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |volume=IX |issue=953 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18860706.2.23.6|access-date=2021-10-06|via=Papers Past}} and Henry Smith{{Cite news |date=9 Jun 1888|title=Advertisements |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |volume=XI |issue=2148 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18880609.2.21.5|access-date=2021-10-06|via=Papers Past}} were cutting totara at Smith's Siding by 1886,{{Cite news |date=3 Jul 1886|title=Advertisements |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |volume=IX |issue=952 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18860703.2.14.5|access-date=2021-10-06|via=Papers Past}} {{Convert|1|mi|45|ch|abbr=on}} south of Makotuku. In 1888 goods for the residents were going there. A new sawmill was built in 1891.{{Cite news |date=19 Nov 1891|title=ORMONDVILLE |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18911119.2.8|access-date=2021-10-06|via=Papers Past}} Gamman sawmills took over at Smith's Siding in 1893{{Cite news |date=19 Jan 1893|title=DISTRICT & GENERAL |newspaper=Bush Advocate |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BA18930119.2.4|access-date=2021-10-06|via=Papers Past}} and one of the family died there in 1901.{{Cite news |date=1 Jun 1901|title=Advertisements |newspaper=Bush Advocate |volume=XII |issue=2013 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BA19010601.2.17.2|access-date=2021-10-04|via=Papers Past}} A loop for 15 wagons was mentioned in 1896 and one for 20 wagons in 1898. H B Timber Co had a mill near the siding in 1896.{{Cite news |date=22 Feb 1896|title=The recent appointments |newspaper=Wanganui Herald |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18960222.2.7|access-date=2021-10-06 |via=Papers Past}} The siding was still in use in 1906.{{Cite news |date=1 Oct 1906 |title=Advertisements |newspaper=Woodville Examiner |volume=XXII |issue=3932 |page=3 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WOODEX19061001.2.18.4|access-date=2021-10-06 |via=Papers Past}}File:Makotuku_viaduct_about_1887.jpg

In the 1990s{{Cite web|last=Wheeler|first=Thomas S|date=1994|title=All Aboard the Train|url=https://knowledgebank.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/node/435393/master/WheelerT651_AllAboardTheTrain.pdf}} a passing loop of over a kilometre was laid on the site of the siding.{{Cite web|date=5 Dec 1983|title=Retrolens Survey: SN8271 Run: F Photo: 11|url=https://files.interpret.co.nz/Retrolens/Imagery/SN8271/Crown_8271_F_11/High.jpg}}

File:Makotuku Viaduct about 1910.jpg

Makotuku Viaduct is east of the station, between Makotuku and Ormondville. There are 6 large viaducts on the {{Convert|24.57|km||abbr=on}} between Kopua and Dannevirke, including Makotuku Viaduct (bridge 155),{{Cite web|date=Nov 2018|title=KiwiRail Network Map|url=https://kiwirail.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=556c4a9c73914fe1983529ddf9ae5099|access-date=27 September 2021|website=kiwirail.maps.arcgis.com}} which is {{Convert|128|m|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|26|m|abbr=on}} high, over Makotuku Stream, a tributary of the Manawatū River.{{Cite web|title=Makotuku Stream, Manawatu-Wanganui|url=https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz48269/Makotuku-Stream/|access-date=17 August 2021|website=NZ Topo Map|language=en}}

The original timber (probably totara){{Cite news |date=10 Jan 1878|title=FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST |newspaper=Hawke's Bay Herald |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18780110.2.10|access-date=2021-09-10|via=Papers Past}} truss viaduct was built between 1878{{Cite news |date=14 Dec 1878|title=THE CLIMATE OF HAWKE'S BAY |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18781214.2.10|access-date=2021-09-27|via=Papers Past}} and 1880 by Proudfoot and M'Kay's manager, A Graham. It was {{Convert|260|ft|abbr=on}} long, {{Convert|92|ft|abbr=on}} above the stream and used {{Convert|155600|ft|abbr=on}} of timber, and 6¼ tons of iron, in 7 x {{Convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} spans, 1 x {{Convert|13|ft|abbr=on}}, 2 x {{Convert|11|ft|abbr=on}}, and 2 x {{Convert|6|ft|abbr=on}}. The contract for this and the two bridges to the north was for £16,758,{{Cite news |date=3 Apr 1880|title=RAILWAY BRIDGES IN THE NORTH ISLAND. OTAGO DAILY TIMES|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18800403.2.28.5|access-date=2021-09-17|via=Papers Past}} or £15,195 1s 8d.{{Cite periodical |title=PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, BY THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. JAMES MACANDREW, TUESDAY, 27TH AUGUST, 1878 |periodical=Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1878/I/703|access-date=2021-09-17|via=Papers Past}}

J & A Anderson & Co of Christchurch won a tender for a wrought iron replacement. It was rebuilt in 1898, {{Convert|8|ft|abbr=on}} higher than the original bridge.{{Cite news |date=4 August 1898|title=The New Viaduct at Makotuku |newspaper=Waipawa Mail |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPM18980804.2.11|access-date=27 September 2021|via=Papers Past}} In the same era Andersons also rebuilt Kopua (1895), Piripiri (1899),{{Cite news |date=5 Apr 1899|title=WELLINGTON NOTES. STAR (CHRISTCHURCH)|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18990405.2.64|access-date=2021-10-07|via=Papers Past}} Matamau (1899), Mangatera (1900), Ormondville (1906) and Makatote (1908) viaducts.{{Cite web|date=May 2015|title=Mangaweka Bridge|url=https://www.rangitikei.govt.nz/files/meetings/te-roopu-ahi-komiti/2018-10-09/Mangaweka-Bridge-Heritage-Assessment-final.pdf|website=Rangitikei District Council}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://shield.kiwirail.co.nz/content/latest/Makotuku.pdf 2014 railway track and signalling plan]

Photos -

• [https://m.facebook.com/DannevirkeMuseum/photos/a.254778584690888/959270254241714/?type=3&source=57 Makotuku Hotel]
• [https://knowledgebank.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/node/435393/master/WheelerT651_AllAboardTheTrain.pdf Station (pages 105-109)]
• Station with verandah [https://www.facebook.com/DannevirkeMuseum/photos/pb.100064492580200.-2207520000./461809533987791/?type=3] [https://www.facebook.com/DannevirkeMuseum/photos/pb.100064492580200.-2207520000./924573804378026/?type=3]
• [https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/228731 War memorial unveiling, 8 January 1920]
• [https://knowledgebank.org.nz/still_image/goods-train-at-makotuku-1956/ Trains at Makotuku in 1956]
• [https://www.facebook.com/DannevirkeMuseum/photos/pb.100064492580200.-2207520000./441084276060317/?type=3 Station in 1978]
• [https://www.flickr.com/photos/deeargee/8356591234 Viaduct in 2012]

{{Tararua District}}

Category:Tararua District

Category:Populated places in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Railway stations in New Zealand closed in 1980

Category:Rail transport in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Defunct railway stations in New Zealand

Category:Railway bridges in New Zealand

Category:Bridges in Manawatū-Whanganui

Category:Railway stations in New Zealand opened in 1880