Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust

In 1992 a conservation plan had been commissioned by New Zealand Rail Ltd to be done by Works Consultancy Services’ with conservation architect Dave Pearson. Architect Claire Chambers contributed architectural plans and applied for the building consent. With help from a $71,000 grant from the Lotteries Grants Board, $10,000 from the Logan Campbell Trust, $5,000 from the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand and $1,000 from the Auckland City Council Hobson Community Board, the Trust was able to remove the graffiti, repaint the building inside and out, redo the foundations, floors and roof. Substantial help was received from generous sponsors: Resene Paints for the original heritage-colour paints of toffee, tan and cream and Ross Roofing who supplied the clay tiles. New ceramic finials were made by Gargoyles and Dragons Ltd of Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia. The two chimneys for the four fireplaces were restored and all are in working order. All new electrical and water services were also installed, along with a security system.

The station building and signal box are listed in the:

• Heritage New Zealand register as a Category 1 building (No 634)
• Auckland Council Historic Heritage Schedule as Category A
• Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand as a Category A building in the National Rail Heritage Collection.

In the run up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Auckland Transport and Kiwi Rail raised the platform in preparation for the introduction of electric trains. This damaged the interior of the building which now needs further work done on it. The Rail Heritage Trust of NZ had the station painted in the 1934 colours of cream and red. The Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust is now seeking further funds to repair the interior, find a new use for the buildings and ensure the station’s future beyond 2015 when the lease expired.

Read about the history of the Remuera Railway Station here.

For further information, contact the Remuera Railway Station Preservation Trust at bnjscott@xtra.co.nz- email if you would like to get involved with its restoration and use.

See the vandalised, graffiti-covered railway station in 1994 before restoration.