When you are sitting inside the movie theatre in Hamilton's Centre Place Shopping Centre, you can hear the rumbling sound of a freight train beneath the building as it travels between the Frankton Station and the Claudelands Bridge over the Waikato River!  At one stage there was an underground passenger station - the first in New Zealand - which opened in 1964 and then closed in 1994 due to concerns about vandalism and passenger safety.  There have been recent discussions to resurrect the underground station.  

This DigitalNZ story recaps the journey taken to construct a rail line through the centre of Hamilton. Firstly, we'll look at when the rail line originally travelled overland from the Frankton Station through central Hamilton to the Claudelands rail bridge which opened in 1884.  Then we'll look at the lowering of the rail line to travel beneath the main street (Victoria Street) in 1964, the building of the underground station, and the remodelling of the Claudelands rail bridge to also include a roadway and pedestrian walkways.  

In a nutshell: 

Hamilton was made the Borough of Hamilton in 1877 with a population of 1245.  When the branchline from Hamilton to Thames was planned, the decision was made in 1877 to build the rail bridge across the Waikato River at Claudelands. The line was constructed in stages from the Hamilton end. The first stage was to build the track overland from the Frankton Station to central Hamilton where the Hamilton Station building officially opened in 1879. The next stage was to build the Claudelands rail bridge which opened in 1884. The Hamilton Station was renamed 'Hamilton West Station' in 1884 and 'Hamilton Station' in 1899. The rail track ran parallel in-between Ward Street and Bryce Street and crossed over Hamilton's main street (Victoria Street) to reach the bridge. The trains crossing Victoria Street became an increasing issue with the growing popularity of the motorcar. From 1912, a crossing-controller was employed to halt vehicles to allow a train to pass, before traffic lights were invented and installed. 

In 1945 the Hamilton Borough became a city with a population of 20,000.  Its rising population and increases in the levels of rail and road traffic led to congestion in the city's centre.  In the late 1950s, the decision was made to lower the rail line beneath Victoria Street and to construct a new lowered rail bridge across the Waikato River.  The tunnel entrance was built outside the Hamilton Station and the tunnel ran from Tristram Street through to the other side of Victoria Street.  

A new rail bridge was built over the Waikato River alongside the existing rail bridge which was transformed into a road traffic bridge with walkways. An underground station was also built beneath the new NZR Road Services bus terminal where The Warehouse is now located.  The 'Hamilton Station' building was relocated to the University of Waikato. The rail tracks that were above ground were removed and carparks were built which were replaced in later years with new buildings - Kmart, The Warehouse and the Centre Place Shopping Centre.  The new underground line was officially opened on 19 September 1964, after which Anglesea St was extended north of Ward  Street to intersect with Bryce Street. 

1. Background:

1.1 Rail line extended from Auckland & Frankton      Station opened in Dec 1877

The Auckland - Wellington line reached Frankton in December 1877 and Wellington in 1908.  The Frankton Junction train station opened on 19 December 1877 on the same site as the present-day station.

1.2 Branchline from Hamilton to Thames      constructed, 1879 - 1898

The Thames Branch line connected Hamilton and Thames in 1898.  A deputation between Thames and the Waikato district had met with Julius Vogel and Dr. Pollen (Colonial Secretary) on 19 February 1874 to propose a rail line. A survey was carried out in 1877 to determine where the railway would cross the Waikato River.  Claudelands was chosen for the location of the rail bridge. The rail line was constructed in stages from Frankton to central Hamilton (1879), and then across the Waikato River to Morrinsville, which was commenced in 1879 and opened on 1 October 1884. The line was then opened from Morrinsville to Te Aroha on 1 March 1886, to Paeroa on 20 December 1895, and finally to Thames on 19 December 1898. The Minister of Railways, Alfred Cadman, was aboard the first train into Thames, which was headed by an F Class locomotive.

STAGE 1: Rail line extended to Hamilton'S CENTRE, 1879

The railway line was extended from Frankton to central Hamilton and the Hamilton Station opened in 1879. Passengers could choose to use either the new Hamilton Station or the Frankton Junction Station. The Hamilton Station, which was a lean-to building, was sited at the rear of the area between Ward Street and Bryce Street. However, as there were only a small number of passengers (282) during 1880/81, the Hamilton Station closed to passengers on 19 February 1881.  

Stage 2: BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED ACROSS WAIKATO RIVER

Railway bridge over Waikato River designed, 1880:

In 1880, the railway bridge was designed by the engineering office of John Blackett, who was appointed the Government's Chief Engineer for the North Island in 1878 and Engineer-in-Chief for the Colony in 1884.  

Construction of railway bridge, 1882 - 1883:

"The first contract for the construction of the bridge was let on 3rd November, 1881, to W. Sims, for £5,519, but nothing was done and the contract was terminated. On 18th September, 1882, a new contract was let to J. R. Stone for £4,312/13/6, exclusive of the casting of the cylinders. These were supplied by A. & G. Price, of Thames, the contract price being £1,376."   

Source: A.S. Wainsborough (1937), "Historical notes on Hamilton Railway Bridge."  The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 10 (1 January), p.27  

"The original bridge was of three pin-jointed Warren deck girder spans of steel, each 132 feet long and continuous over two cast iron cylinder piers and supported at the ends on massive concrete piers. At each of the shore ends of the main spans were two 20 feet timber built-beam spans. The cylinders were 7 feet diameter, the pair nearest the Hamilton side being 160 feet long, and the pair nearest the Claudelands side 136 feet long. The respective depths below rail level would be 181 ft. and 157 ft., and depth below the river bed 78 feet and 54 feet respectively. The bridge was designed for a combined live and dead load of I 3/4 tons per foot, giving very little margin over the weight of the locomotives then running."

Source: Ibid, p. 27 

Bridge's load capacity tested with locomotives, 5 Dec 1884:

"The bridge was tested by the late Mr. John Coom, M.Inst.C.E., Resident Engineer at Auckland for the newly constituted Working Railways Department, on 5th December, 1884. A class F engine, and a class L engine coupled together, a total load of 40 ½ tons distributed over 40 feet, were placed on the centre of each span in turn. The deflection was about ¼ inch on each span, the effect of the continuity being noticeable in the adjoining span rising about one-sixteenth of an inch at the centre in each case."  Source: Ibid, p. 27 

"The load was then increased to 117 tons on 123 feet by attaching to the locomotives three pairs of timber trollies loaded with rails. The deflection was from ½ inch to 5/8 inch, and this train was passed over the bridge at 10 or 12 miles per hour without appreciably increasing the deflection. Both Mr. Coom and Mr. F. W. Mac-Lean, M.Inst.C.E., who was associated with him on that occasion, later rose to the position of Chief Engineer to the New Zealand Railway Department."  Source: Ibid, p. 27 

Footbridge not installed for pedestrians who ended up trespassing:

A footbridge was not installed when the bridge was first built and planks were laid down in the centre of the tracks for the Railway's maintenance staff. However, with members of the public taking shortcuts, trespass notices were issued:  "In May, 1887, [the Resident Engineer] reported: “The Town Clerk, although I have written to him, still persists in crossing. Shall I take legal proceedings?” and received the reply, “Yes, prosecute trespassers on Hamilton bridge at once.”   

The planking ended up being removed during 1887,  "but still the more venturesome attempted to cross, but as there was no close sleepering as at present the procedure was very risky, and it was quite common for the pedestrian to finish the crossing on hands and knees."  

 Source: Ibid, pp. 27, 29 

Stage 3: Train station in Central HAmilton reopened                  1 Oct 1884

When the Morrinsville rail line was completed, the railway station reopened as the 'Hamilton West Station' in the centre of Hamilton on 1 October 1884. The building and platform had been extended and a goods shed, cart approach and loading bank erected. 

In subsequent years, the following alterations to the station occurred:

1896:  A stationmaster's house, public toilets and a passing loop for 38 wagons were provided.  

1 March 1899: The station was renamed 'Hamilton Station'.

1900: A verandah was added to the station.

1902:  The Hamilton Station was described as being, "of wood and iron, and has a ladies' waiting room, a public lobby, stationmaster's room, a long passenger platform, and a large goods shed. Four trains pass the station daily, each way." 

1905:  The stationmaster's house was shifted and a porters room, parcels office and store added. 

1909: The luggage room and verandah were extended. 

1924:  A new, larger storeroom was built at western end to replace the storeroom at the eastern end. 

Source: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District: Hamilton, p. 741. 

Stage 4: Hamilton-Morrinsville LINE officially opened,                 1 Oct 1884

"The bridge was completed about the end of July, 1883, but was not brought into use until the opening of the Hamilton-Morrinsville railway on 1st October, 1884. The line to Cambridge was opened a week later."    Source: Ibid, p. 27 

When trains crossed Victoria Street, the railway had right of way - all pedestrians and horse and cart traffic stopped for the trains which averaged about two a day. The number of trains began to increase following the railway line at Morrinsville being extended to Rotorua via Putaruru on 8 Dec 1894, and the line from Paeroa through the Karangahake Gorge to Waihi opening in November 1905.  

With the increase in the number of trains and the use of motorcars, a crossing keeper controlled the Victoria Street crossing from 1912, when the train station's platform was extended 200 ft (61 m) west and asphalted.  Later, traffic lights were installed.

Stage 5: Strengthening the Bridge, 1907 - 1908

With the opening of the Waihi line in 1905 and the Taupo Timber Company's line, there was an increase in the number of trains using the railway bridge, leading to plans to strengthen the bridge.

"Plans were complete in 1906 for strengthening the bridge by adding a third cylinder and a third girder, the railway being shifted to the centre of the three girders, over which the load was distributed by long steel cross-girders. The built-beam shore spans were replaced with steel plate girders. A contract was let for the cylinders on 14th September, 1906, to S. Luke & Co., Wellington, for £2,354, and one for the fabrication of the superstructure on 8th January, 1907, to A. & T. Burt, Limited, Dunedin, for £5,872, the erection to be carried out by the Railway Department."

 Source: Ibid, p. 29 

Stage 6: FOOTBRIDGE ADDED to strengthened bridge                 during 1907-1908

A footbridge was not installed when the bridge was first built and members of the public would take shortcuts.  Options such as adding a footpath or a separate suspension bridge were raised.  The Government and the Railway Department agreed to a walkway being added when future improvements to the bridge were made. The outcome was the "Waikato County Council agreed to pay £500 for the construction of a footway on the strengthened bridge, and £25 per annum for maintenance. The £500 was ultimately paid, however, by the Roads Department."   Source: Ibid, pp. 27, 29 

Stage 7: Railway administration building, 1920

In 1920, Railway Administration Building was built on Victoria Street in-between Ward Street on the left and the rail track on the right.

2. lowering the RAIL line under victoria st

2.1  Proposals to lower the rail line, 1912 - 1959

Hamilton's rising population and increases in the levels of rail and road traffic, led to congestion in the city's centre. In 1912, the Borough Council first suggested re-routing or lowering the rail line. Subsequent proposals to lower the line were eventually supported by the National Roads Board.

 2.2  design of new RAIL Bridge & ROAD Traffic Bridge,          1961

New Zealand Railways commissioned the Ministry of Works (MoW) to design the new rail bridge and the construction contract was let to Wilkins and Davies Construction Company Limited in 1961.  The outcome was the lowering of the rail line beneath Victoria Street and the constructing of overbridges at River Road, Tristram/Hinemoa, Seddon Streets and Lake Road.  A new lowered concrete rail bridge was built alongside the existing rail bridge which was transformed into a road traffic bridge with walkways. The new line was officially opened on 19 September 1964, after which Anglesea St was extended north of Ward  Street.

Source: Wikipedia:  Hamilton Central railway station (New Zealand)

2.3 Preparation  for diverting road traffic

2.4 Excavations commence to lower new rail line,        1964

New rail line lowered outside Hamilton Station: 

 A large cutting was excavated alongside the Hamilton Station and covered over with concrete and then filled with the removed material. 

New rail line lowered between Hamilton Station & Victoria Street: 

New rail line lowered beneath Victoria Street:

2.5  Building the new lower rail bridge

A new concrete rail bridge approximately 469 ft (143 m) long and wide enough to carry a single track railway was built across the Waikato River. The new rail bridge was built c. 20ft (6.1m) lower than the existing rail bridge and 59 ft (18 m) above river level. The former rail bridge was transformed into a road traffic bridge with pedestrian walkways. 

Building pier bases of bridge:

The new rail bridge's superstructure consists of seven spans of pre-stressed concrete box girder, two of which are land spans. The spans are supported by  reinforced concrete piers, resting on in-situ cast piles. The total length of the spans is 469 ft (143 m)  and the height above the river level is 18m.  As the Waikato River is used by rivercraft. the pier bases were placed alongside the existing ones.  For stability, the abutments were located away from the river's banks which consist of  large deposit of pumice and volcanic ash. 

Source: Engineering New Zealand: Hamilton Rail Bridge

2.6  Transforming original rail bridge into road        traffic bridge Named 'Claudelands Bridge'

2.7  NEW RAIL LINE LOWERED ON OTHER SIDE OF RAIL        BRIDGE 

2.8  Claudelands Road & River Road overbridge 

3.  Transformation of centre of Hamilton City

Opening of Claudelands Road Bridge, 5 Oct 1968:

Railway Station shifted underground: 

The Hamilton Station building (sited at the rear of the area between Ward Street and Bryce Street) was closed and its operations shifted underneath the NZR Road Services bus terminal that was built in the late 1960s.  Passengers would catch or alight from their train on the underground platform and use the ramp to walk above ground.  

Railway Station building shifted to University of Waikato:

In 1968, the Hamilton Railway Station building was shifted to the University of Waikato. It is sited on Hillcrest Road opposite the University's adminstration tower block. Vice-Chancellor Don Llewellyn initially planned to use it as a temporary Student Union building; then it was set up as the Common Room for staff.  It was used for a number of years as the Station Café and Bar by staff and students, and is currently known as the Wellbeing Hub for students.  

New railway Administration Building, 1969:

In  1969 a new Administration Building was opened. The 3-storey, 23,700 sq ft (2,200 m2) building was built by Holm Construction Ltd for the Ministry of Works.  The Administration building was linked by a covered walkway to the NZ Road Services terminal in Ward Street, which had a ramp to the underground rail platform.  In 2001, the NZ bus station was replaced by the current Transport centre. The ramp was  closed when the Warehouse was built in 2004.    

Carparks:

 By the mid 1970s, most of the former Hamilton Railway station had been covered by carparks. The carparks were later replaced by the Centre Place Shopping Centre.   

Anglesea Street extended northwards:

Centennial celebration held 1984:

UNDERGROUND STATION CLOSES, 1 JULY 1994:

The underground station beneath the NZR Road services terminal was closed as a passenger train station on 1 July 1994, due to concerns about vandalism and passenger safety.  The entrance to the underground station was blocked off with a slab of concrete.  Thereafter, passengers on the Geyserland and Kaimai Expresses used the Frankton Station until 7 October 2001 when both trains ceased running due to decreasing numbers of passengers. 

The rail line through the underground tunnel is still used by freight trains to and from Tauranga.

Following the closure of the NZR Road Services building (replaced by the Transport Centre in 2001), it was demolished to make way for the building of The Warehouse. The  entrance to the underground station was blocked up in 2005/6 by the new foundations of the department store and its underground carpark. The station platform still exists, but access is only from the entrance of the railway tunnel. The platform and its walls have been covered in graffitti since its closure.  

4. Discussions to resurrect underground station

 There have been discussions to resurrect the underground station as a passenger terminal, as seen in the following articles, which include photographs of the derelict state of the underground platform and exit ramp:

• Greater Auckland: Harriet Gale, Regional rapid rail - Hamilton Central Station (3 April 2018)
• Stuff.co.nz: Kelley Tanatu, Politician's unlock doors to New Zealand's first underground train station (2 May 2018)
• Stuff.co.nz:  Mike Mather,  Underground rail station in central Hamilton could be resurrected as part of major mall revamp (2 April 2021)

A further catalyst for reopening the underground station in central Hamilton has been the launch of the Te Huia passenger train service on 6 April 2021. Te Huia travels to Auckland from Hamilton's Frankton Station and the new Rotokauri Transport Hub by The Base shopping centre at Te Rapa. See: https://www.tehuiatrain.co.nz/