Station restored to former glory

Carterton's 130-year-old railway station refurbishment is now officially completed, with a ceremony yesterday morning to signal the final two months of work.

The Vogel-style station, which opened in 1880, is the only one of its kind in its original state, still selling tickets.

It also has the curious honour of housing the oldest operating railway station toilet in New Zealand.

Greater Wellington Regional Council chairwoman Fran Wilde, whose council looks after the region's passenger stations, cut the tape to signal the completion of the refurbishment.

The ceremony was timed to coincide with the arrival of a original 1950s 'BA' locomotive from Steam Incorporated in Paekakariki, towing period carriages filled with passengers on a Mother's Day excursion.

Ms Wilde said the station looked fabulous.

She admitted railway stations were "pretty new" properties for Greater Wellington, who acquired the region's passenger stations in 2011.

"We haven't had them for long, but when we first took over, we did an audit.

"There was so much work to be done."

Historic stations Tawa and Naenae fell, but Carterton was able to be saved, she said.

"We couldn't have done this sort of thing without enormous support from heritage groups."

Murray King, of the Rail Heritage Trust, commended the hard work of the Wairarapa Restoration Society in keeping the building alive.

"I think the Carterton residents have an asset they should be justifiably proud of."

Society president Don Hodge explained how Carterton's station quickly became the backbone of a growing community in the early years.

But in the mid-80s, the station closed as an attended station and there was talk of demolition.

A local steering group was formed, which later became the Wairarapa Restoration Society.

Backed by the Carterton District Council, the society leased the building in 1991 and began to transform the station back to its former glory.

A museum was set up inside four years later, and then in 1999 Wairarapa Travel asked if they could sell tickets there.

The toilets were opened in 2007.