Rail Deviation

Profile

With the rise of newer and heavier locomotives and consequent increase in tonnage of goods transportation, the gradient to reach the Waitakere Tunnel was proving to be a hindrance as early as the 1920s. Trains leaving Swanson would drop down to the old timber-piled bridge and then had to climb steeply to reach the tunnel. Work on the grade easement scheme began in the mid-1930s as a relief labour scheme but stopped due to the war. Another 40 years passed before the climb from the Swanson Stream bridge to the Waitakere Tunnel was eliminated from 3 October 1981.

Apart from removing the level crossing over the Scenic Drive and the old bridge over Swanson Stream, the deviation allowed heavier northbound trains to be hauled between Mount Eden and Helensville. Easier curves on the new line enabled trains to run somewhat faster than before.

Identity

Identity

Cultural Heritage Identity (CHI): 1428 + 1676 + 1712

References

References

Rugged Determination, p60-62
Historic Sites of the Waitakere Ranges

Swanson Train Station

IMG_4204
1.08 km
A rail route north from Auckland to link up with the Riverhead-Helensville line was identified in 1874, to run from Newmarket to Glen Eden, later to be extended to Riverhead. Residents of the neglected areas of Henderson and surrounding country districts, were disappointed and angry that the railway was not coming through. Protest meetings, letters to the press and petitions Read more...


Medical Centre

IMG_4216
1.3 km
In the early decades of the century Swanson residents had to travel to Avondale or to Henderson to see a doctor. From about 1948, Dr Tom Childs of Henderson was the principal doctor for the district. He visited the village for a couple of afternoons every week, seeing patients in the hall (where the RSA is now). In 1956, Dr Read more...


Pharmacy

IMG_4215
1.35 km
In November 1977 Margaret Saunders set up her first pharmacy business in the village on a site opposite the Ponderosa. At that time Swanson was still very much a rural community with no local doctor. After a long fight with the then Waitemata County Council, Margaret moved the pharmacy to its present location at 708 Swanson Road. It had to Read more...


Ponderosa

IMG_4221
1.38 km
The first building on this site comprised a dwelling, store, post and telephone bureau. It was erected by Arney Robertson in early 1911 but sold to Charles Foley in July that year. Post-Office records show the store being taken over by Mr Sugden in 1915. Ted Guy worked as a delivery boy for a short time, driving a horse and Read more...


Swanson School

IMG_4226
1.45 km
Early Days A large proportion of settlers’ children did not receive an education until a school was erected in 1888. There were a few children scattered around the district and some took the train to attend school at Woodhill from 1882 to 1888. With the arrival of the village settlers from 1885 onwards, parents from the 19-20 families lobbied the Read more...


RSA

SWA.07.06
1.86 km
In 1932, the viscious effects of the Great Depression were being felt and the need to provide welfare in those grim times was a powerful motive to form a Returned Services Association in the west. In the past a man or family needing a few shillings in hard times had to travel to the RSA in Auckland and in many Read more...