Kaitoke

Kaitoke station was located approximately halfway between Upper Hutt and Summit, sited at the first piece of straight alignment with a convenient water source. Steam locomotives typically required to take water after climbing the 1 in 35 grade from Upper Hutt to Mangaroa, and 1 in 40 - 45 gradients from Mangaroa to Kaitoke. A refreshment room was provided at the fourth class station for the comfort of passengers, taking advantage of the break in the journey.

The layout of the station was a little unusual in that there was only sufficient room for one loop at the station, land falling steeply to the west, and a steep bank to the east. Goods siding and stock yard were located a quarter mile to the north of the station, part way around a composite 10 chain and 15 chain radius curve that swung the alignment from NNE to a SE orientation.

Three rectangular water tanks were provided, one at each end of the loop and one on the main to the north of the station. Water was obtained from a small stream that had been dammed to the south of the station.

Four railway houses were provided for staff, one near the north end of the crossing loop, two near the station building and a fourth near the goods siding.

Royal tour 1954

HRH Queen Elizabeth II and HRH the Duke of Edinborough passed through Kaitoke twice on Friday the 15th January 1954 on the way to Masterton. The Royal Train was used for a day trip from Wellington to Masterton, the Royal party travelling behind two De class locomotives (numbers 514 and 515). On the return journey the Royal party travelled by road over the Rimutaka Hill, boarding the train briefly at Kaitoke before continuing on by road to Wellington.

Private property

Note that the former railway formation and environs at Kaitoke are located on private property, please respect the privacy of landowners in this area.