Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc.

The Bay Express at Papatu Siding

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The Wellington-bound ‘Bay Express’ passes through the former site of Papatu Siding, between Ormondville and Kopua, about five minutes before reaching Ormondville, on 16 January 2000. 

Papatu Siding served S.B. Firth’s Ormondville Steam Sawmills, which had been established in 1877 in the hope that it would secure the contract to supply timber for the Ormondville and Makotuku Viaducts. Unfortunately, the prices asked for this timber were so high that the viaduct's contractors established their own mill instead. Descriptions of Firth’s Papatu mill suggest it was extremely poorly maintained. It apparently burnt down in the mid-1880s. 

Papatu Siding’s other claim to fame was its close proximity to the Papatu Caves, and in 1885, Firth advertised that he would provide a guide for people wishing to explore the caves. These are still accessible, albeit on private property. Nowadays, Papatu Siding is only marked by a railway gate and level section of land adjoining the tracks. In its heyday, the yard was noted for its small size and the manoeuvring difficulties experienced by drivers of timber wagons. (Photo: Bob Brooking)