Mosgiel: Wingatui Station (c.1914) + Signal Box (c.1913) (1)
Wingatui was an important part of the Otago rail network. In its early years it was the site of a large rail-served brickworks, and it was the starting point of the Otago Central Railway. For many years it was the station for nearby Wingatui racecourse, with special sidings for this traffic.
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It's not known when the first Wingatui station was built, but the Dunedin-Mosgiel line opened in 1875 so the original building would have been built just prior to this.
With Dunedin's growth and a steady increase in rail traffic, duplication of the line was soon necessary. First mooted in 1908, plans involved moving the station and erecting a new building. Despite moans from locals, who were not happy about having to walk further, the decision to move the station stood. By early 1914, this building had been erected, with the accompanying signal box built the previous year (1913).
From 1967 Wingatui was an attended flag station, manned for signalling purposes, and in 1986 it was closed except for operating purposes. The station was proposed for removal two years later but remains. It is still used by Taieri Gorge Railway tourist-passengers, and is being restored by Rail Heritage Trust of NZ.
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The station was designed by George Troup (1863-19412), the legendary chief draughtsman for NZ Railways, whose best-known work is the Dunedin Railway Station (1904).
In terms of architectural significance, Wingatui ranks as the second-best remaining island-platform station in NZ, after Remuera (Auckland). It is enhanced by its accompanying signal box - a rarity. The signal box is one of only four boxes still on, or close to, their original sites over the whole NZ rail network - down from about 150 in use in the mid-1950s.
Wingatui Station carries a Heritage NZ Cat.II listing (No.2360).
Mosgiel: Wingatui Station (c.1914) + Signal Box (c.1913) (1)
Wingatui was an important part of the Otago rail network. In its early years it was the site of a large rail-served brickworks, and it was the starting point of the Otago Central Railway. For many years it was the station for nearby Wingatui racecourse, with special sidings for this traffic.
=====
It's not known when the first Wingatui station was built, but the Dunedin-Mosgiel line opened in 1875 so the original building would have been built just prior to this.
With Dunedin's growth and a steady increase in rail traffic, duplication of the line was soon necessary. First mooted in 1908, plans involved moving the station and erecting a new building. Despite moans from locals, who were not happy about having to walk further, the decision to move the station stood. By early 1914, this building had been erected, with the accompanying signal box built the previous year (1913).
From 1967 Wingatui was an attended flag station, manned for signalling purposes, and in 1986 it was closed except for operating purposes. The station was proposed for removal two years later but remains. It is still used by Taieri Gorge Railway tourist-passengers, and is being restored by Rail Heritage Trust of NZ.
=====
The station was designed by George Troup (1863-19412), the legendary chief draughtsman for NZ Railways, whose best-known work is the Dunedin Railway Station (1904).
In terms of architectural significance, Wingatui ranks as the second-best remaining island-platform station in NZ, after Remuera (Auckland). It is enhanced by its accompanying signal box - a rarity. The signal box is one of only four boxes still on, or close to, their original sites over the whole NZ rail network - down from about 150 in use in the mid-1950s.
Wingatui Station carries a Heritage NZ Cat.II listing (No.2360).