Helensville railway station

Helensville Railway Station
MAXX Urban rail
Coordinates 36°40′19″S 174°27′02″E / 36.671857°S 174.450484°ECoordinates: 36°40′19″S 174°27′02″E / 36.671857°S 174.450484°E
Owned by KiwiRail and Auckland Transport
Line(s) Western Line
Platforms 1
Tracks 1
History
Opened 18 July 1881[1]
Closed 12 June 1987[1]
Services
  KiwiRail  
Preceding station   MAXX (Veolia)   Following station
Waimauku
Western LineTerminus

Helensville is on the North Auckland Line and is the next major station north of Waitakere. At one time it was called the Hellensville North Railway Station.

The station still features the original wooden building, which has been restored, and has a shunting yard and KiwiRail Network depot. The platform was modernized in 2007 as part of trial to reintroduce a commuter train service to Auckland. There is an old steam locomotive at the entrance to the platform from the station car park.

Services

The station was closed on 31 July 1967 to passenger traffic, and on 12 June 1987 to all traffic. [1]

In June 2007 it was announced that suburban rail services would be extended to Helensville in 2008 for a trial period. Services to the town resumed on 14 July 2008 after an absence of 28 years and ran until Christmas 2009. The trial services consisted of a Monday - Friday morning service from Helensville to Britomart and evening service from Britomart to Helenville before returning to Britomart. The station was reopened on 14 July 2008 for passenger service, but was closed again in December 2009.[1]

For some years special train services were put on between Helensville and Auckland for the Farmers' Santa Parade every Christmas season.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Names & Opening & Closing Dates of Railway Stations in New Zealand by Juliet Scoble (2012)