Platforms Island Platform Connections Mainline Steam Siding Rebuilt February 1940 | Tracks Mainline (2) Opened 2 October 1885 Structure type Station building | |
Location Steyne Avenue, Plimmerton, Porirua, New Zealand Owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council (building), KiwiRail (platform) Line(s) North Island Main Trunk Address Plimmerton, Porirua 5026, New Zealand Owners Wellington Region (building), KiwiRail (platform) Similar Pukerua Bay Railway, Paremata Railway Station, Linden Railway Station, Kenepuru Railway Station, Porirua Railway Station | ||
Plimmerton Railway Station is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway (NIMT) in Plimmerton, Porirua, New Zealand, and is part of Wellington's Metlink suburban rail network operated by Tranz Metro. It is double tracked around a long island platform, with subway access from Steyne Avenue and Plimmerton Domain's Park and Ride to the north, and a controlled crossing to Steyne Avenue and Mainline Steam at the south end of the platform. Mainline Steam, a heritage steam train restorer and operator, is located in the former goods yard next to the station.
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Services
Plimmerton Station is served by Kapiti Line trains operated by Tranz Metro, a part of KiwiRail. Trains run every 30 minutes outside peak times, and more frequently during peak periods. All services running between Waikanae and Wellington stop here, with some terminating.
Metlink services use electric multiple units (EMUs). Diesel-hauled KiwiRail freight trains and KiwiRail Scenic carriage trains pass through the station but do not stop.
Mack's Track, a railway model specialist, operates a destination store, ticket agency and kiosk inside the station, and maintains a waiting room. Bicycle racks and lockers are also provided on the platform. A park and ride car park adjoining the station is located at Plimmerton Domain.
History
The rail corridor through Plimmerton was built by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company (WMR). The line reached Plimmerton in 1885 and proved to be a very popular beach destination for weekend visitors from Wellington who would ride the train to Plimmerton to "take the waters".
The original station building constructed in 1885 was on the west side of the line, and was replaced with the current station in 1940 when double tracking was completed. There were also several other tracks and a goods shed. For many years, the new station also served as a venue for the community. The station was staffed until 1989 and still houses a control panel used for access for Mainline Steam's trains and other rail operations.
The station building was identified as being of special importance under the Village Strategy Plan put together by the Plimmerton Residents' Association (PRA) as a part of Porirua City Council's Village Planning Programme.
Station building reopening
The station building was closed to the public from October 1989. Faced with the threat of demolition in 2004, the local community and Porirua City Council sought to organise the support needed to repair the empty station rather than have it replaced by minimalist shelters. Funding and implementing the repairs was not resolved until 2009, when Tranz Metro and the PRA signed a Community Rail Partnership (CRP) to govern the restoration and future use of the station building, and Tranz Metro and Mack's Track (a model railway retailer) signed an Agreement to Lease (ATL) the building if it was made good. With the participation of other stakeholders, including Porirua City Council and the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand, this CRP created a framework for repairs and other work to commence, and the ATL provided for a tenant to occupy the building on an ongoing basis once the project was finished.
An important part of this successful small scale transit-oriented development was Mack's Track occupying the station building when finished and providing a ticket agency, cafe and destination store as well as acting as a "Station Master" with the PRA for a public waiting room and other facilities for train passengers and the local community.
The restored station building was reopened on 10 October 2010, commemorating the 125th anniversary of trains to Plimmerton, 70 years since the opening of the existing station building and electrification of the line and 21 years since the station building had been closed to the public.
The Plimmerton Station Restoration Project has been applauded for its successful partnering of the community with the rail operator and the local authority to enable the preservation of local heritage while enhancing the operation of a modern rail transit system. The project received a Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand Restoration Award in 2011, being recognised as "a model for other station restorations throughout the country."