The Wellington and Manawatu Railway (WMR) was a railway between Thorndon in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and Longburn, near the town of Palmerston North, in the Manawatu. Unlike many other early railways in New Zealand, it was privately owned. Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke) is the capital city of New Zealand and the countrys second-largest urban area. ... Palmerston North is a city in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... Manawatu is a district in the Manawatu-Wanganui region in the North Island of New Zealand. ...

At the time of the railway's founding, the government had already constructed a railway linking Palmerston North and Foxton, and had been planning to extend its line to Wellington. However, a group of Wellington businessmen grew impatient at the government's delays, and chose to fund their own connection. The WMR was founded in 1881, and the laying of track was completed in 1886. Foxton is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1886 is a common year starting on Friday (click on link to calendar) // Events January 9 - The United States of America is 40,000 days old. ...

In total, the WMR ran for about 134 kilometres (83 miles). From central Wellington, the line wound through the hills to Johnsonville, the Tranz Metro commuter rail line generally following its route. The line then proceeded to Tawa, roughly along the line of the SH1 motorway. From Tawa to Longburn the Main Trunk line generally follows its route, through Porirua, Paraparaumu, Otaki, and Shannon. The decision to pass through Shannon meant that the line joined the existing Palmerston-Foxton line in the middle, at Longburn, rather than meeting it at Foxton — this decision was strongly debated, but was chosen as being more direct. A number of new towns were established along the railway's route, notably Levin, named after William Hort Levin, a director of the company. Johnsonville is a large suburb in northern Wellington, New Zealand. ... A large disclike metal utensil, slightly concave and usually made from cast iron or aluminium. ... The NIMT is the railway line connecting Auckland and Wellington, the two major cities of New Zealands North Island. ... Porirua is a city in New Zealand, 20 km north of Wellington. ... Paraparaumu is a town located in the south-western North Island of New Zealand. ... Shannon is a small town in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealands North Island. ... Levin is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. ...

The company was relatively successful, and generated a considerable amount of revenue for its owners. It was relatively advanced by standards of the time, having comfortable carriages, electric lighting, and telephone communication between stations.

The WMR was bought by the government in 1908, and integrated into the emerging national rail network. 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

External links

• Wellington and Manawatu Railway Trust
• Article on surviving remnants of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway