Kaysha Brownlie
The future of the Woodville Railway Station relies on the formation of a committee to restore and then lease the building from Kiwi Rail.
This follows concerns from Woodville residents who fronted at a meeting with Kiwi Rail to discuss the building's future.
Retired Woodville train driver Alan Brabender, says: "It's part and parcel of New Zealand's heritage."
The station is one of New Zealand's last surviving country junctions.
The small Tararua town became a junction in 1897 and was the largest employer for several years.
But with staff losses and irregular passenger trains coming through the area, the building has become derelict.
Mr Brabender says it's important to have the trains stop in Woodville to help boost their economy.
"We need the people to stop here, not Palmerston North."
Locals say the station is an asset to the district and its fate should not be decided by Kiwi Rail, a business with no stake in the area.
The building needs many repairs. It was opened up at the meeting for locals to see the extent of what needs doing.
A Kiwi Rail spokesman says he was impressed by the number of community members who attended the meeting.
He says Kiwi Rail welcomes the community to put together a committee to restore the building and then lease it for future use.
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis says there is a lot of "untapped potential" with the station.
"I am pretty sure it's very unique to Tararua as are the people that support that."
Mr Brabender is so passionate about the region's rail history, he's transformed his garage into a homemade train museum.
He hopes to rehome some of his treasures at Woodville Station if restoration attempts are successful.
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