Papakura railway station

The station was opened on 20 May 1875, as part of the Auckland and Mercer Railway on 20 May 1875, built by Brogden & Co,[4] when it was extended from Penrose.[5] On 2 October 1874 a deputation asked for the contractor to run trains from Penrose to Papakura[6] and some services were available from October 1874.[1] For example, Brogden & Sons ran excursion trains to Drury that month.[7]

Initially Papakura was served by 2 trains a day.[8] By 1879 there were 3 trains a day, the fastest taking 1hr 9mins for the 19 mi (31 km) from Auckland.[9] Papakura became the terminus of an improved suburban service in 1913.[10] WAB Class locomotives were introduced to suburban services in 1922,[11] but the coaching stock appears from photos to have been unchanged in 1966.[12] With double tracking, suburban trains were speeded up in 1931, the fastest taking 49 minutes.[13] Suburban Sunday trains at low fares were introduced in 1933.[14] From 1938[15] to 1950[6] many trains carried troops to and from the Military Camp.[16][17] Trains calling at Papakura have included The Overlander, Northerner (in 1975 the platform was extended to 200 m (660 ft) for the Northerner),[6] Northern Explorer, Silver Fern (from 19 September 1977),[6] Waikato Connection, Geyserland Express, Thames Express (from 1921),[18] Taneatua Express and Kaimai Express.

Plantations were established near many railway stations for beautification[19] and, possibly, to provide timber for railway construction.[20] Papakura's railway reserve was planted in 1883,[21] with oaks[22] and blue gums, and was protected in 1935.[23] It was renamed Massey Park in 1939.[24] Some of the trees remain.[25]

By 1884 Papakura had a 4th class station, platform, cart approach, 60 ft (18 m) by 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed (extended by 80 ft (24 m) in 1921), loading bank, cattle yards, stationmaster's house, urinals and a passing loop for 37 wagons (extended to 70 in 1905). From 1882 to 1913 a Post Office was run by railway staff.[6] In 1885 the station was moved 4 ch (80 m) to the other side of the line.[26] A verandah was added in 1905, sheep yards in 1911 and an engine shed between 1913 and 1917.[6]

In 1920 the first sod was turned for a new station.[27] In 1921 a new yard came into use, with a siding capacity of 450 wagons, together with an island platform, station building, a 55 ft (17 m) turntable replaced by one of 18.9 m (62 ft) by 1988)[6] and several railway houses. By 1922 only the overhead footbridges were unfinished and the old building was being removed.[27] Electric replaced oil lamps in 1926.[28] With increasing suburban traffic, work started in 1938 on a new ticket office,[29] carpark,[30] bridge and platform.[31] On 9 September 1940 a new 400 ft (120 m) suburban platform on the west of the station was brought into use. The station building was again rebuilt in 1983.[6]

Tablet instruments were installed in 1904, fixed signals in 1905,[6] distant signals in 1916[32] and electric interlocked signalling in 1927.[33]

Duplication of the tracks between Papatoetoe and Papakura started in 1929 as an employment relief scheme[34] and was completed on 29 March 1931. Doubling between Papakura and Paerata was completed on 3 December 1939.[6]

On 3 November 1986 Papakura closed to goods traffic, but re-opened temporarily in 1987 to take glass for recycling. A report in 1987 said the goods shed and a shunting tractor had been removed, but another in 1990 said there was a goods shed.[6]

Prior to October 2012, the station had an island platform between the main lines, complete with original wooden station building and signal panel, and a suburban side platform to the west. It had a bowstring footbridge connecting the platforms, which dated from at least the 1930s, constructed of old railway iron and sleepers.[35]

• List of Auckland railway stations
• Public transport in Auckland

• 1947 aerial photo of station and Massey Park trees
• 1950s photo of turntable
• 1954 photo showing trees, goods shed, main line island platform and diesel train at suburban platform
• 1957 photo showing 2 footbridges and the suburban platform loop
• 1970s photo of station building
• 1976 suburban fare table