"The Heart of Halcombe"
Today rail traffic thunders along the railway line through Halcombe,
with no visible remains of the station and goods yards which were once the heart of Halcombe.
with no visible remains of the station and goods yards which were once the heart of Halcombe.
Timeline of Rail in Halcombe
The arrival of rail in the late 1870s provided the opportunity for the fledgling village of Halcombe to flourish.
The Halcombe section completed an important link between the ports of Whanganui and Foxton, opening many opportunities for trade within New Zealand. The railway provided employment for locals as well as being a necessary and efficient means of transport for goods and people to and from the district.
Until the middle of the 20th Century most provisions that came into Halcombe – farm stock, supplies for shops, mail, and even beer for the tavern, came by rail. Social events such as Friday night visits to the metropolis of Feilding, and Feilding Ag high school students all travelled on the train.
As well as meeting the material needs of residents it was also a social meeting place. Many events, such as the homecoming welcome for returning soldiers, were held at the station. Meandering along the station platform was ‘the place to be seen’ – which was made more pleasant in 1884 when a dedicated loading ramp for horses was built removing them from the public platform.
The station rapidly became a vibrant hub of community life and continued to be so well into the 20th Century.
The Halcombe section completed an important link between the ports of Whanganui and Foxton, opening many opportunities for trade within New Zealand. The railway provided employment for locals as well as being a necessary and efficient means of transport for goods and people to and from the district.
Until the middle of the 20th Century most provisions that came into Halcombe – farm stock, supplies for shops, mail, and even beer for the tavern, came by rail. Social events such as Friday night visits to the metropolis of Feilding, and Feilding Ag high school students all travelled on the train.
As well as meeting the material needs of residents it was also a social meeting place. Many events, such as the homecoming welcome for returning soldiers, were held at the station. Meandering along the station platform was ‘the place to be seen’ – which was made more pleasant in 1884 when a dedicated loading ramp for horses was built removing them from the public platform.
The station rapidly became a vibrant hub of community life and continued to be so well into the 20th Century.
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Early Railway Construction
Carved mostly through dense bush, the path of the railway line also had handicaps to overcome in the construction. Notably these were the rolling country east of Halcombe, a major bridge over the Rangitikei river, and lastly the high escarpment between Kakariki and Greatford. |
Early Railway Construction (date unknown).
Source: Feilding Heritage
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A significant event in the history of Halcombe occurred on Monday 22 April, 1878 when the Halcombe section of the railway line linking the ports of Foxton and Whanganui was opened. The importance of this event was noted by the mayor of Palmerston North who declared a public holiday in recognition of this auspicious occasion.
In the late 19th Century, the rail trip from Foxton to Whanganui took six hours. Trains on this line were part of a public-private partnership with Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). They were locally administered meaning the engines and passenger cars could not leave their respective districts. Trains would meet at Halcombe where they were shunted back-to-back at the platform. Passengers travelling through Halcombe were required to disembark and change trains as the trains had to return to their home depot. Trains would spend 20 minutes to give passengers a chance to secure refreshments, Halcombe being the only station on the line to provide these services. At the same time, the engines were also checked and watered.
The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company had a strong American influence, and its powerful Baldwin locomotives were considered the ‘Rolls Royce’ of trains, often putting government owned locomotives to shame. In 1909 the North Island Main Trunk Line became fully operational under government control. This meant districts ceased to exist and trains could travel the length of the island.
In the late 19th Century, the rail trip from Foxton to Whanganui took six hours. Trains on this line were part of a public-private partnership with Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). They were locally administered meaning the engines and passenger cars could not leave their respective districts. Trains would meet at Halcombe where they were shunted back-to-back at the platform. Passengers travelling through Halcombe were required to disembark and change trains as the trains had to return to their home depot. Trains would spend 20 minutes to give passengers a chance to secure refreshments, Halcombe being the only station on the line to provide these services. At the same time, the engines were also checked and watered.
The Wellington Manawatu Railway Company had a strong American influence, and its powerful Baldwin locomotives were considered the ‘Rolls Royce’ of trains, often putting government owned locomotives to shame. In 1909 the North Island Main Trunk Line became fully operational under government control. This meant districts ceased to exist and trains could travel the length of the island.
Halcombe Railway Yards c1883.
Source: Feilding Heritage
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Halcombe Railway Yards c1883. Source: Feilding Heritage
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Halcombe Railway Yards
Two photographs taken around 1883.
One is looking towards the village, the second shows the stationmaster house in the background.
Two photographs taken around 1883.
One is looking towards the village, the second shows the stationmaster house in the background.
In the early 1880s bush felling was one of the main occupations. Firewood, posts, shingles and timber building blocks were cut in large quantities and railed to the port in Whanganui. The train in the photo is loaded with wood products.
By the turn of the century farming had grown in importance and relied heavily on rail for the transportation of produce and stock. Changes were being made at the station to cater for this. Farmers would walk their stock to the station then negotiate the carriage for their animals to a loading ramp (by pushing it) where they could then load their stock. The cattle yards were constructed of heart totara used in a post and rail formation which was unique at the time. By 1900 the goods yards comprised of two large engine sheds, a goods sheds, a grain store and coal store, as well as cattle and sheep yards. There was a crane capable of lifting engines off the rails, and five sidings to manoeuvre trains and carriages.
In 1943 one of the large engine sheds burnt down and in 1973 the goods shed, and stock yards were removed.
By the turn of the century farming had grown in importance and relied heavily on rail for the transportation of produce and stock. Changes were being made at the station to cater for this. Farmers would walk their stock to the station then negotiate the carriage for their animals to a loading ramp (by pushing it) where they could then load their stock. The cattle yards were constructed of heart totara used in a post and rail formation which was unique at the time. By 1900 the goods yards comprised of two large engine sheds, a goods sheds, a grain store and coal store, as well as cattle and sheep yards. There was a crane capable of lifting engines off the rails, and five sidings to manoeuvre trains and carriages.
In 1943 one of the large engine sheds burnt down and in 1973 the goods shed, and stock yards were removed.
Halcombe Railway Station, circa 1878, by Mrs Edith Halcombe. Lithograph. Acquisition history unknown. Te Papa (1992-0035-1874/9-12)
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Railway Stations
The original Halcombe station, built by William Nicholson for £157.5s, was completed on 14 April 1877. However, this was soon moved to Greatford when it was decided that Halcombe should provide the refreshment stop on this line. A much larger (104ft x 20ft), purpose-built station was erected by J & C Bull and opened on 5 August 1879. This housed a post office, telegraph office, kitchen, licensed bar and a refreshment room. Within a few years a dining room and ladies waiting area were added, with a much-needed verandah built in 1912. A storage shed was another later addition. Another local railway station was at Kakariki which opened in 1879 consisting of a shelter shed and a passenger platform as well as sidings for trains. A drawing by Edith Halcombe circa 1878 Although Te Papa has this as being drawn around 1878, it shows additions to the station made later than this. |
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In the 1880s, passenger trains between Whanganui and Foxton used to meet at Halcombe and the trains were shunted up to the station, back-to-back. Accounts detail where a person decided to test the strength of the trains so coupled the two together. When the guard blew his whistle for the trains to depart the engines groaned and puffed, struggled and smoked. The Whanganui engine appeared to be getting the better of the tug-o-war before the prank was discovered. It did not end as well for the perpetrator who was charged with the crime!
In its heyday in the early 20th Century, the railway was a remarkably busy centre. At one stage there was an average of 35 trains daily, 14 of these at night. Annual ticket sale returns from the Halcombe Station show the number of passengers grew into the 20th Century, then again between the two world wars before dropping off from the 1950’s. In 1920 there were 11,029 individual and 133 season tickets sold, the highest number in the period 1881 to 1950. |
Halcombe Railway Station.
Photo credit: Ken Cassells 1941
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An aerial view of Halcombe c1950 showing the railway station, goods shed, stock enclosures, loading ramps and shunting areas. The stationmaster’s house is to the right of the goods yards, with two workers’ cottages to the bottom of the photo.
Note that where the trains are standing on the lines is where the walkway is today. Large amounts of ballast and potentially drums of chemicals were stored, and possibly buried here. As well, oily material coming from the trains drained into the soil. This partly explains the tremendous effort that went into getting vegetation to grow on the walkway. |
Aerial View of Halcombe Railway c1950. Photo unknown. Source: donated by W. Powell to Halcombe Hall Committee 1953
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Bulls in the Bush!
In the days when the dense bush and scrub had not been cleared on Lethbridge’s run, there roamed some hundreds of semi-wild cattle, including some vicious bulls. These bulls were a continual menace to the men on the permanent way, and many a hard pull they had on the jiggers to escape the sharp horns.
Not content with chasing the men, one of the lords of the herd thought he would challenge the train from Palmerston North one evening. We think the referee gave it a draw as the engine was derailed and the bull broke his leg and had to be shot.
The passengers had to walk to Halcombe Station about two miles along the track with a guard’s lamp to guide them.
Source: Halcombe School Jubilee Booklet 1937
In the days when the dense bush and scrub had not been cleared on Lethbridge’s run, there roamed some hundreds of semi-wild cattle, including some vicious bulls. These bulls were a continual menace to the men on the permanent way, and many a hard pull they had on the jiggers to escape the sharp horns.
Not content with chasing the men, one of the lords of the herd thought he would challenge the train from Palmerston North one evening. We think the referee gave it a draw as the engine was derailed and the bull broke his leg and had to be shot.
The passengers had to walk to Halcombe Station about two miles along the track with a guard’s lamp to guide them.
Source: Halcombe School Jubilee Booklet 1937
Train derailment at Halcombe, 1902. Photo unknown. Source: PN City Library
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Derailment Drama
Wd 360 was derailed at Halcombe on 14 November 1902. This was an excursion train running from Wanganui to Palmerston North to the West Coast and Manawatu A&P Show. There were 290 people on board. Only minor injuries were incurred in the accident. Source; Wanganui Herald Volume, 8 May 1902 (Page 2) [Papers Past] |
Train Derailment, Halcombe 1902; Photo: Newham and Brady, Wanganui. Source: PN City Library
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Kakariki Flood
April 1897 saw the highest flood ever in the Rangitikei River. On Good Friday, a huge landslide at Mangaweka which was blocking the river, gave way wreaking havoc on all in its path. The water rose rapidly taking people by surprise, taking out the Onepuhi and Kakariki bridges, cutting off all road and rail communication. At Onepuhi, the river stretched from one cliff to the other looking like an arm of the sea. The New Plymouth – Wellington mail train had passed over the bridge less than half an hour before it was washed away. Boats were used until temporary bridges were built. The replacement bridge was a combined road and railway bridge. A gate was at each end of the bridge, with a gate keeper employed 24 hours a day to close the gates when trains were due. A new railway bridge was built in 1938 with the old bridge having only road traffic. Source: 'The Floods in the Rangitikei', Wanganui Chronicle, 21 April 1897, (Page 2) [National Library of New Zealand/Papers Past] |
Postcard of Kakariki Bridge, Marton, NZ Rangitikei River.
Source: Feilding Heritage.
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Carting Wool, date unknown. Source: Manchester Block Centennial Supplement.
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“Carting wool was no trouble in the old days. Here Mr. T. P James and his team have brought in 78 bales of wool from Manson’s woolshed to the Halcombe railway station. In the photograph are seen two wagons and a wharf dray.”
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Goods yard with train tracks.
Photo credit: Ken Cassells 1941.
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Kakariki Derailment
At 2.20 a.m. on the morning of 22nd July, 1932, a goods train derailed one mile south of the Kakariki station. There was no serious damage, and no-one was hurt. |
Derailment at Kakariki, 1932. Photo unknown. Source: Feilding Heritage.
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Railway Station Destroyed by Fire
As reported in The Feilding Herald on April 4, 1962, the Halcombe railway station was destroyed by fire.
The cause of the fire is unknown but was possibly connected to repairs that were being carried out at the station at the time.
As reported in The Feilding Herald on April 4, 1962, the Halcombe railway station was destroyed by fire.
The cause of the fire is unknown but was possibly connected to repairs that were being carried out at the station at the time.
Railcars to and from New Plymouth: RM30 on 610, RM33 on 507@Halcombe1 (GJM, 11.09.1971). Photo credit: Graeme McClare, Honorary Archivist, NZRLS Archive.
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Wellington to New Plymouth Railcars
Halcombe was the timetabled crossing place of the two train services to and from Wellington and New Plymouth. Railcars would meet at Halcombe or Kakariki, where they were able to cross on a railway siding. The train crews changed railcars for them to finish their day back at their respective home depots of New Plymouth and Wellington. The building to the right of the nearest railcar is all that remained of the original station and became the replacement station until the station was finally closed. |
The Demise of Rail
With changes in society, especially the convenience of road transport, the railway declined in relevance and importance.
On December 6, 1958 Halcombe was closed as an officered station.
On Saturday March 31, 1962, the station building was destroyed by fire. A small storeroom, which escaped the fire was converted to a temporary station. This was the final nail in the coffin for Halcombe continuing as a viable railway station.
With changes in society, especially the convenience of road transport, the railway declined in relevance and importance.
On December 6, 1958 Halcombe was closed as an officered station.
On Saturday March 31, 1962, the station building was destroyed by fire. A small storeroom, which escaped the fire was converted to a temporary station. This was the final nail in the coffin for Halcombe continuing as a viable railway station.
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From the 27 March 1983, NZ Rail closed Halcombe as a stop for all rail traffic. Subsequently all remaining structures and sidings were removed, with a double track constructed at Rangitawa, just west of Halcombe.
Today rail traffic thunders along the railway line through Halcombe, with no visible remains of the station and goods yards which were once the heart of Halcombe. |
'The Northener' (Auckland to Wellington passenger train service) passing Rangitawa, May 2021. Photo credit: Kirsten Otter.
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Written by Maureen Lambert, Halcombe, New Zealand. 2021
Information sourced from: Halcombe and Tokorangi School Jubilee Booklets, The Mary Bostock collection of Halcombe History, New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Archives, Manawatu Library Feilding and District Heritage, National Library, Papers Past, The Coach House Museum, Te Papa, Wikipedia, Local people.
Information sourced from: Halcombe and Tokorangi School Jubilee Booklets, The Mary Bostock collection of Halcombe History, New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Archives, Manawatu Library Feilding and District Heritage, National Library, Papers Past, The Coach House Museum, Te Papa, Wikipedia, Local people.
