Pukemiro Junction - Station building
HISTORY:
Rotowaro opened as a flag station on the Huntly-Awaroa railway 11 February
1918. It was built at a cost of £464; with toilets an additional
£114. There was no verandah provided but within the year approval was
being sought to erect one. The verandah was finally provided in 1924 at a
cost of £125. By 1951 the district traffic manager described the
station as an "island station" and an overhead bridge was regarded as
essential to avoild clambering over the track. Rotowaro residents beseeched
Railways for the bridge and by 1955 expenditure was approved. The bridge was
provided two years later at a cost of £5400. In 1959 flush lavatories
and a septic tank were installed. The building's fate hung in the balance for
a while after it was proposed to replace it with a smaller, relocatable
station in 1978. In 1980 Rotowaro was closed to traffic less than a full
wagon load. Six years later the station business was confined to coal from
local open-cast mines; this business was expected to cease by 1992.
The building was 'tagged' by the Club as its own, and the initial
$90 for permit/transfer was covered by Club members. Tony Hinton
along with Chris Mann decided to front up with $500 purchase
price and then donate the building back to The Club. This was
actioned January and then purchased 1992.
Grants allowed the club the eventual re-siting of this wooden
building in November 1997 to Pukemiro Junction- from Rotowaro
(there were only a couple of other derelict buildings left in
the township site at this time). The township 'area' was being
prepared for open-cast coal mining activities.
Funding to carry out the required upgrade of electrical, plumbing,
re-roofing and general came from many sources. These being 1996
Trustbank Waikato Community Grant, 1998 WEL ENERGY Trust, & Rail
Heritage Trust Inc; with many commercial sponsors supporting the
upgrade through materials and services. The physical removal from
Rotowaro was fraught with many problems of the trailer units
sinking down into the bog - it was removed by Johnson House
Removals at a generous price.
The Club used under the verandah to begin to sell tickets/souvenirs
on its December open day 1997.
The Bush Tramway Club Inc. began the restoration project in earnest
in February 1998. The building had to be secured for insurance
purposes - and this was undertaken by Ian Bettison and Andrew
Thompson - along with the 'split-level' initial platform preparation
work.
The bulk of the physical wood-work (including replacement of
sash-hung windows) was undertaken by Club Member Ian Bettison.
Electrical work undertaken by Bob (certified) and Betty Wiseman.
Bob reported that much of the wiring was still in excellent order
- and some was from his apprentice days in 1940's.
The contractors for re-roofing and necessary re-cladding were
Colin Webber builders. The verandah width was extended another
18 inches to accommodate roofing to cover to the edge of platform.
Plumbing undertaken by Jelaca Plumbing.
Interior and exterior painting was carried out by PD work parties
supervised by Teresa Bettison. A pallet load of paint was donated
by Benjamin Moore paints.
In total, 1000's of hours were put into this project.
The internal toilet section was removed, (as the building was
sited next to an existing toilet block). This 'area' became the
'First Aid' room. The women's waiting room/toilet became the
'kitchen' area, the kitchen benches and cupboards were
second-hand; the remaining areas were basically left. Due to the
siting of the building; the North-facing back-wall lacked
'windows', so two sets were secured and installed. The open
fire-place was completely removed- mostly due to safety factor
of open fires and secondly the cost to install a replacement
chimney and fire-place.
The other entrance doorway into 'station master's' office was
also closed in and replaced with a sash-hung window. The counters
were removed from the baggage area.
The external 'skirt' was essential to close and further protect
the under-side of the building from possible vandalism. It has
also allowed for storage of some spare materials, and securing
the water main.
$43 000 was eventually spent to upgrade this building. A further
grant of $7500 was received from WEL ENERGY TRUST to seal the
platform and public access area.
A large extra water tank (20000 litres) was organised by Andrew
Thompson from Field Days in 1999. This has proved essential to
collect excess roof water.
The floors were sanded and oiled July 2000.
The building was ready for 'inspection' at the "Sponsor's Day"
10th September 2000 and officially renamed by Chairman Colin
Ewing, General Manager Colin Jenner and a representative
from Trust Waikato, WEL Energy and PD Supervisor-Manager.
Early in 2003, the building has received a re-paint in a lighter
'straw' colour, ready for Open Day operations in April. The
building continues to be the club's main public 'doorway' to its
activities, and the station continues to be used primarily for
the purpose of railway operations.
The main fault with this building, was not being able to insulate
it - therefore the building is extremely damp and cold if left
closed up. Its advantage is that it 'feels' like a historic
railway station.
There is still a 'fire bucket' stand to be still re-attached to
the west-side of the building.
CURRENT ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT:
Has been basically left to its original design, with the necessary
internal changes adapted to cope with its current operational use
for public services on operating days.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Positioned to accommodate public approaches to club at Pukemiro
Junction. The current railway is all that is left of this area's
historical activity.
LANDSCAPE VALUE:
Pukemiro Junction Station building is now greatly enhanced and
protected at its present location. The building will remain as
its current usage, also that of club social and training
activities.
Click on a thumbnail to see the full sized picture
