Tracing Dunedin’s early railway stations

When the private railway from Dunedin to Port Chalmers was integrated into the public southern main line, linking Dunedin with Balclutha (1875), Christchurch (1878) and Invercargill (1879), this, and the growing city, forced the government to abandon the railway realign. line, and develop a new (second) station site.

The image on the left was taken in late 1905 from the clock tower of the newly built (now current) railway station. It shows the location of the second train station (highlighted in Yellow)and the location of the earlier station is also indicated (circled in pink). The second station building was originally designed of Port Chalmers Breccia and Oamaru stone, 300 feet long, with a three-storey central block and two-storey wings. Early 1884, after the foundations had been laid (circled in yellow, still visible two decades later), money became too tight and construction was postponed indefinitely. These foundations still exist under the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum building. As a workaround, the 1874 passenger station (pictured to the left of the tracks) and the 1877 footbridge (pictured behind) were moved, as part of a workaround. The temporary new station remained in use until its demolition in October 1906, when our current station was taken into use.
The railway line from Dunedin to Port Chalmers was officially opened in December 1872. Plaques will be unveiled on 6 December to mark the 150th anniversary of this event.

(Left) Detail of Dunedin Station Tower, circa 1905, Dunedin, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.012145)