The Railway Goods shed in West Street, Greytown has had new lease of life. It has been restored at a cost of $75,000 thanks to the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand and assistance from local builders, various trusts and Kiwi Rail. It still contains 75% of the materials that would have been used 100 years ago.
BEFORE.....
Greytown Railway Goods Shed prior to restoration. photo by Matthew25187
AND AFTER....
Fully restored and officially opened 21 November 2015
It was originally built in 1880 by the Government Public Works Department, and was once one of around 450 dotted around New Zealand. There are probably only 10 left now in their original location.
When the rail link between Woodside and Greytown closed in 1953, the shed became redundant for railway use and was bought by the Borough Council. It was used by the Greytown Catchment Board from 1956 until amalgamation in 1989, when Greater Wellington Regional Council took over catchment responsibilities, and it continued to be used by that organisation until 2010. It was probably this continued use, plus its sturdy construction that explains its survival.
The shed was a railway station for Greytown passengers, who transferred to the main Wairarapa line at Woodside, and a base for freight. The Greytown shed had its own engine, and a worker who was goods manager, station agent and the guard on the train.
If you look across the road from the shed, where Gray Bros is now, that is where the station yard was, with the station building and platform to the left - where the large trees are now. If you walk up to Pierce Street and then into Cotter Street you will see the start of the Rail Trail, which takes you the 5km to Woodside Station.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.