| The Paekakariki Station
Precinct Trust, Kapiti Coast District Council and
ONTRACK were able to work together to ensure that
the Signal Box could be opened in conjunction
with the Parliamentary Special Train travelling
from Wellington to Auckland to commemorate the
construction and completion of the North Island
Main Trunk Railway 100 years ago in 1908. The historic
train pulled by Ja 1271 another Paekakariki icon,
restored by Steam Incorporated arrived at the
station on a beautifully fine day and was greeted
by several hundred local residents, school
children and invited guests.
Passengers
disembarked from the train and gathered on the
platform for the official opening ceremony, a
Waiata was performed by Paekakariki School pupils
and then Adrian Webster, Community Board Chairman
started the opening speeches.
Kapiti
Mayor Jenny Rowan and Mana Labour MP Winnie Laban
gave impressive speeches both pointing out the
role the local community played in restoring the
Signal Box. After Winnie cut the ribbon and
declared the box open she invited some of the
local children to inspect the box with her.
We
were fortunate enough to have present a couple of
signalman who were amongst the last to work the
signal box, they were invited to also inspect the
box with Winnie and Mayor Jenny.
Nigel Mullis, Mayor
Jenny, Winnie Laban, Colin Lock
Morning
tea and light entertainment was then provided for
dignitaries and locals in the village with the
trains stopover taking approx 1 hours duration
Photos by C.F. Johnson
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