Waiteti railway station
Waiteti was a passing loop on the North Island Main Trunk railway in New Zealand, built in 1939 to relieve congestion along a single track block, where the line rises steeply from Te Kuiti on a 1 in 70 gradient for, including curves of to radius. It was from Wellington, south of Te Kuiti and north of Puketutu. From its opening it was under central control from Te Kuiti signalbox. The loop could hold 100 4-wheeled wagons.
Sources vary as to opening and closing dates. The loop probably opened on 9 December 1939, or possibly 3 December 1939 and closed on 31 March 1987, or, alternatively, as gazetted, January 1939 to 5 May 1977. The station was clearly visible on a 1983 aerial photo. Electrification came in 1988, which allowed for more powerful locomotives, reducing the need for the passing point on the long gradient.
Waiteti translates to water dripping from the ground. The station was in the valley of the Waiteti Stream.
