Seddon Station

Year Built

1902

Architecture

Clad in rusticated weatherboards with a corrugated-iron roof, Seddon is a slender gable station. Its architectural origins are a little obscure. Much of the detailing is similar to that of a class 4 lean-to station and it may also be a gabled version of a class 5 station. On the platform elevation the central arched lobby is flanked by two single-pane sash windows, reminiscent of the class 4 1obby arrangement. To the left is another sash window. The former postal lobby, to the south of the main entrance, is beside the ladies' toilet. Access to the latter is gained by a side entrance.

History

Seddon was erected as part of the Blenheim-Awatere railway and was completed in 1902. The railway followed the next year. The contractors were T. May and J. McKinlay. Provision was made for postal and telegraph work to occupy one end of the building. Seddon was the southern terminal of the Main North Line for nine years until extended to Ward in 1911, and it was nearly 30 years before work on linking the two railheads began again. Seddon had a very quiet history serving the local farming community. In 1966 an earthquake brought down the chimney and in 1969 public toilets were mooted but the idea was abandoned. From 1986 the station was retained for track gang use hut has recently been sold. The platform is still used by Coastal Pacific passengers.

Architectural Significance

Seddon is a largely-original variant of the Vogel period gable station. A small relatively plain building, it is one of the last examples of the Vogel Gable station built. It and other small stations such as Middlemarch were not considered of sufficient status to warrant verandahs, despite possessing an architectural distinction lacking in the small lean-to structures.

Historical Significance

Seddon has always been a minor stop on the Main North Line, even after the completion of the line in 1945. Farm-related freight has been its main traffic.

Town / Landscape Value

Although a modest building, Seddon station's location next to SH1 and in the centre of town gives it some prominence.

References

Address

Mills St (SH1), Seddon 7210

Building Owner

D. Pigou

Occupier

Unoccupied

Land Owner

D. Pigou

Territorial Authority

Marlborough District Council

Type

Vogel class 4/5 station

Line

MNL

RHTNZ

Category B

NZHPT

District Plan

No

Conservation Plan

No

Heritage Covenant

No

Designer

Unknown, for Wellington & Manawatu Railway

Integrity

Very good

Condition

Good

Landscape /Townscape Setting

In the middle of the township, next to SH1