Paperspast query Waterloo Line

Hutt City Library Online Database
Main Title: [The electrification of the Hutt line and the Haywards railway proposal]
Imprint: 1953-
Notes: Indexes: Filing Cabinet
Summary: 2 newspaper articles from the Evening Post about Railway projects: (a) Promise of electric units through Hutt now this year (EP 8 Jan.1953). [Wellington-Taita elctrified section opened 14.9.1953; Taita-Upper Huttt electrified section opened 24.7.1955}. (b)Railway on paper from Plimmerton to the Hutt Valley (EP 20.9.1963).The Haywards project was abandoned c.1967.
Language: English
Subject: Electric trains
Overbridges
Taita Junction
Haywards
Railways

Hutt City Library Online Database
Main Title: Fully electric-train services
Imprint: 1953
Notes: Indexes: Filing Cabinet
Summary: “Fast,silent, clean electric units takeover the running on the Wellington-Taita line”. Introduced in 1953 after 6 years planning. Ill.
Language: English
Subject: Wellington – Taita Railway Line
Railways — 1920 — 1959
Heritage resources

Hutt City Online Database
Main Title: “I did the Waterloo to Taita line y”know…” [newspaper article]
Source: Hutt News 28-02-1989, p. 2
Notes: Ill.
Language: English
Subject: Giltrap, Ernie
Railways
Waterloo Interchange
Taita Rail line
Heritage resources

Hutt City Library Online Database
Main Title: [Railway Stations]
Imprint: 19?
Notes: Indexes: E24
Summary: 3x small photos: various dates, 19- : 1.The Railway, Lower Hutt. Aldersley Postcard A A76. nd. neg.#350. 2.Railway Station Lower Hutt. Tanner Bros. Postcard. 900, nd. 3.Taita Railway Station (under construction), May 1951
Language: English
Subject: Lower Hutt Railway Station
Taita Railway Station
Railways
Heritage resources

Wellington Independent 10 January 1873
It may be as well to remind intending contractors that tenders

for the Upper Hutt railway will be recieved up to the end of

this month, the time closing on the 31st.

Evening Post 1933
FIFTY YEARS AGO
ITEMS FROM “THE POST”
RAILWAY INCONVENIENCES.
“A public meeting of Upper Hutt settlers was held last night for the purpose of protesting against the vexatious regulations with respect to the issue of tickets at flag stations. It was explained that Wellington passengers getting in at Silverstream, Wallaceville, Haywards, and Belmont had, on their arrival at the Lower Hutt, to get out and get fresh tickets. This was very inconvenient to females, especially to those with young children or parcels. Instances were mentioned where parcels of butter and eggs, left in the train by persons who had to get out, were found to be smashed up on their return, or else missing altogether. It was also mentioned that the fare from Wallaceville to Wellington was two-pence more than that from Upper Hutt, which was two miles further on. It was resolved to send a deputation to the Minister asking for redress.”

Evening Post 3 February 1904
A public meeting of Taita residents will be held in the Taita Hotel on Saturday evening with the object of devising means of securing more direct connection by rail with the city.

Evening Post 25 May 1927
OPENING CEREMONY
EVENT IN HUTT HISTORY
To-morrow afternoon will be an historic occasion in the records of the Hutt Valley. The new branch railway (part of the Hutt Valley deviation line) completed as far as Waterloo road, will be officially opened by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) at 2.30 p.m. The ceremony will be performed at the Woburn Station.
The Prime Minister will be received at Woburn Station by Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P. for the Hutt, and there is certain to be a large concourse of people, amongst whom will be present, by invitation, members of all local bodies in the districts. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. K. S. Williams) will speak, and after all the speeches are delivered, Mr. Coates will open the line in the customary manner by driving an engine and breaking a ribbon.
The Mayor of Petone and Lower Hutt will, preside at a function to be held upon the station platform, which will be covered for the occasion, when the guests will be entertained. Both boroughs will observe a half-holiday.
City visitors will be enabled to reach Woburn by a special train which will leave Lambton at 2 p.m. and will return at 4 p.m.
The importance of the new railway and other aspects of the progress of the Hutt Valley are discussed in special articles in this issue.
–
AN EXTRA HALF-HOLIDAY
The opening of the new railway line to-morrow will be imprinted upon the minds of the younger generation of the locality by the fact that they will be given an extra half-holiday. The Wellington Education Board has decided to grant this holiday to all the schools within the Petone and Hutt area.

Evening Post 25 May 1927
full page article
query Petone

Evening Post 20 February 1939
WEEKEND TRAFFIC
WESTERN HUTT ROAD
PARTS STILL UNFINISHED
OLD ROUTE MEANTIME QUICKER
For the first time the general public had free use of the new Western Hutt Road, during last weekend, and as most motorists abroad then were anxious to try out the new auxiliary highway, it was well patronised. Parts of it are still unfinished, however, and it became generally recognised that it Will save time and be more comfortable to take the old route in the meantime. The Western Hutt Road is eight and a half miles long between the Petone level railway crossing and the Silverstream bridge, and is less built up than the road through Lower Hutt and Taita, while the older route is nearly a mile longer, and there is sometimes congestion in the Lower Hutt Borough. There are fewer curves on the Western Hutt Road, and they are superelevated on the most modern principle, while the highway surface throughout is better than the main highway up the valley.
WORKMEN STILL BUSY.
When the new road is in order, it will undoubtedly give a quicker run between the points mentioned than does the old, but that will not be immediately. Workmen are still busy between the Normandale crossing and the Melling bridge, and at Silverstream, and on week days the loss of time on this account would make it well worth while to follow the old road in the meantime.
Motorists who tried out the Western Hutt Road during the weekend say that the approach to the bridge from the Silverstream end is still in very poor condition. A sweep is being built in to the ramp from the road, and motorists using the new road yesterday had to pass over ground where the bulldozers were at work before the weekend. They found this very dusty, and were of opinion that the spot would be a dangerous one until the work was finished.
EXTENSION TO PETONE.
The bush is being cleared away on the southern extension of the Western Hutt Road to link up with the Hutt Road at the Petone level crossing. This extension was announced by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in August as being expected to be finished in time for the Centennial celebrations in 1940. It will give a straight run through from the Petone level crossing the Silverstream bridge, without railway crossings or ramps, in the meantime. Much depends on whether the Waterloo railway line is extended to Upper Hutt, in which case the Melling line would be used only by local traffic. If it continues to be used for through railway traffic a ramp will eventually become necessary.

Evening Post 25 January 1940
STEADY PROGRESS
UPPER HUTT AREA
EXTENSION OF RAILWAY
Advice that the Eastern Hutt railway line is being extended to Taita and later to Silverstream, and that an adequate main sewer is being constructed as far as Taita, was given recently to members of the Upper Hutt Borough Council by the Mayor, Mr. J. Blewman.
Mr. Blewman said that in the very near future the line now terminating at Waterloo would be put through to Taita and then to Silverstream.
“It is as much as we as a body can do to get the conveniences of the lower part of the valley extended to Upper Hutt,” said Mr. Blewman during the course of an interview. “The Town Planner has in his possession a plan of the whole valley, showing future development in this area.
“There are two things which are most important to the residents of the upper part of the valley. One of these is the speeding up and electrification of the line to Upper Hutt; the other is the provision of an adequate sewerage system. Upper Hutt is almost entirely a residential area, and many citizens of the district journey daily to and from their employment. “An hour in the train each way is too long to ask anyone to spend in going to and from work, especially when by special trains the journey is regularly done in forty minutes. The presence of a large military camp in the district greatly increases the need for speedy access and efficient sanitation”
…

Evening Post 4 July 1940
query Taita
–
extension to borough area

Evening Post 14 November 1942
WELLINGTON DISTRICT GOODS TRANSPORT CONTROL COMMITTEE.
ALL GOODS for Silverstream, Trentham, Wallaceville, and Upper Hutt must be railed as from Monday, November 16, 1942, as road services for these districts have been eliminated for the duration. Prompt delivery of all goods consigned to the above stations will be made by the Geange Carrying Company, Cartage Contractors, Upper Hutt, and it would be an advantage if all consignments were consigned care of the Geange Carrying Company. Permits for special goods such as furniture, for places beyond Taita Gorge, may be had on application the day before same is required. Sand and shingle for districts beyond Upper Hutt must be railed.
W. I. J. BLYTH, Chairman.

Evening Post 17 June 1944
RAIL EXTENSION
FROM WATERLOO
SERVICE TO NEW AREAS
A start has been made with an important railway work which will serve large new housing areas in the Hutt Valley. This is the extension of the present railway line from Waterloo to Nae Nae, a distance of one mile and fifty chains. The Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) said today that formation and ballasting work had been commenced. Formation along this length was very easy and should be completed in a few weeks. The Railway Department would then follow on with, the plate-laying. Mr. Semple also stated that plans, for station buildings and overbridges, etc.. were in hand.
“From Nae Nae to Taita, one mile and 50 chains,” Mr. Semple added, “the formation is also very easy, but some minor alterations to the alignment are under consideration in order to fit in with the town planning of the area.
STOPPING PLACES.
“Nae Nae and Taita will be the main stations between Waterloo and the Taita Gorge, but there will also be stopping places for suburban traffic at Epuni and Cemetery Road.
“When the line is completed to this point all the areas in the Nae Nae – Taita locality, which are being prepared by the Government for housing purposes, will have a railway station within a reasonable distance.
“From Taita to Silverstream there are many complications in the way of providing for railway, river, and a modern high-speed road through the Taita Gorge. Surveys of several schemes are now nearing completion, and they will then be studied in detail so that the best arrangement to meet the circumstances, can be decided on.”

Evening Post 11 July 1944
HOMES IN VALLEY
OVER 4000 PROJECTED
DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME
Tucked away in a semi-circular bay in the hills off Naenae Road, Lower Hutt, is what is known as the Waddington settlement, a fairly extensive area of gently-sloping land facing the sun. The settlement was originally intended to follow the lines of the British scheme propounded by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain and known popularly as the “three acres and a cow” scheme, which followed the South African War. The Epuni scheme in Lower Hutt, on similar lines, was quite successful, but at Waddington, owing to the poorness of the soil and difficulties of drainage, the land remained largely a derelict area, supporting only a few families, established along its one road, Seddon Street, running north and south. In its search for sites for State houses the Housing Department investigated the settlement as an area for intensive building, and decided, in spite of some drawbacks, to develop it, and plans were made to house over 1000 families there.
There were considerable initial difficulties to overcome, the prime one being that of drainage, and this was complicated by the fact that, as the hills form a semi-circle, there is a considerable run off and seepage into the flat, and, secondly, the soil is largely peat and pug, both highly water retaining. The principal drainage problem was met by what is practically a continuation of the Waiwhetu Stream, by means of an open drain some twenty feet wide and twelve feet deep, now commonly known as the Waddington canal, into which, at intervals along its route, smaller open drains and also piped drains, from 9in to 40in in diameter, discharge. These will take the run off and seepage from the hills as well as storm water from house roofs and streets. The next problem was that of roads, of which there are between four and five miles.
It is usual practice for road making to precede building operations, especially in such conditions as those at Waddington, but so urgent is the demand for houses that an attempt is being made to carry on both roading and building at the same time, and that, too, during the winter. Both road makers and builders suffer, from this procedure; road makers from damage to partly-formed roads by builders” transport, and builders by difficulties of haulage on surfaces axle deep in pug. Even Seddon Street, formed many years ago, is in most parts a long clay puddle. Roading has, of course, to be preceded by sewers, minor storm-water drains, and other services. In parts ordinary wheeled vehicles are useless, and caterpiliar tractors hauling sledges are being used to carry supplies to the jobs. The roading and drainage is being carried out by the Public Works Department on behalf of the Housing Department, and both Government Departments in conjunction with the engineering staff of the Lower Hutt Council, which, when the work is completed, will be asked to take over the roads and services and maintain them. The plans and specifications had in the first place to be approved by the City Council, and it is the duty of council officers to see that all the conditions are fulfilled.
The work is a revelation of the value of modern road-making machinery — bulldozers, huge carry-alls, trench diggers, Diesel shovels are to be seen working in what look like impossible positions, some on the faces of precipitous hillsides, where they appear to be in danger of toppling over, while fussy little tractors dodge here and there amidst the seeming confusion.
Most of the houses are to be of the prefabricated, or partially prefabricated, type, and are brought on to the job in sections. Already, before the worst of the winter weather is here, builders are complaining of the conditions under which they work, and if the weather gets worse building operations may become impossible.
THE MAIN HOUSING BLOCKS.
Another area where housing is in progress is a block stretching up to Cemetery Road from Naenae Road. The only portion of this block where development has taken place is immediately north of Naenae Road, where some fifty-two chains of streets have been formed and where about 500 houses are to be constructed, but the greater part of this block will be left for later development as the country is considered bad from a road-making point of view. The area will probably supply sites for another 1000 homes. On the west of the main road from Park Avenue to Mabey Road the State development, except for some 150 houses facing sixty chains of streets just north of Stellin Street, has not been large.
The bulk of the development west of the main road lies north of the Taita Hotel, in an area not yet within the Lower Hutt City boundaries, but which it is proposed to include. This area will probably provide sites for some 1600 homes, and already over two miles of streets are under construction. Road construction here, as compared with Waddington, is simple. There is no hill water to contend with, the land is level, and the soil porous, with a shingle foundation. In this block winter building and road making could more easily go hand and hand, and it is possible that building work may be transferred from Waddington to this area.
There has also been development along the extensions of Cambridge and Oxford Terraces, which continue for about a mile beyond Waterloo Road. This portion and some short subsidiary streets have been built up. Along this portion of Cambridge Terrace some twelve hostels are in occupation, housing girls sent from other parts of New Zealand to work in Hutt Valley essential industries. When the need for these hostels ceases they will be altered to serve their original purpose of multiple unit houses.
Along the railway reserve which runs between these two terraces ballast is being laid and is now ready to receive the permanent way for the continuation of the Waterloo line. In this connection the question arises as to the provision of a ramped road in Waterloo Road. It has been the policy of the Railways Department not to allow level crossings in urban areas. At the present time, owing to the position of five large stores facing Waterloo Road the construction of a ramp would appear impracticable.

Evening Post 21 November 1945
Waterloo Line Extension
The present Waterloo-Wellington suburban train service will be extended within a few weeks to Naenae and Epuni, an official of the Railways Department said yesterday The new service would be commenced as soon as the additional track from Waterloo to Naenae was laid and temporary waiting facilities installed at the two new stations. Only a one-track service would be provided at first north of Waterloo, but the service would be enlarged to two tracks when the subways and overbridges were completed. As Naenae would become the terminus until the railway was extended further north, sidings would also have to be constructed before the service could be commenced.