Masterton railway station

Masterton railway station is a single-platform urban station in Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand. It serves as the terminus for the Wairarapa Connection passenger services on Metlink's Wairarapa Line to and from Wellington, with an average journey time of one hour and forty-three minutes. The station features a ticket office, café, freight-handling facilities, a goods shed, turntable, and engine/railcar shed.

Opened in 1880, the original station included a goods shed, sheep and cattle yards, and an engine shed with coal and water facilities. Over the years, additions such as a windmill (1894), turntable (1897), and refreshment rooms (1902) were made. In 1954, a new 55-foot turntable was installed, followed by a railcar shed in 1956. The engine shed was later used by the Way and Works Branch until its demolition, though water tanks remained until 1968.

In 1965, a new freight yard and goods shed were built west of the original site. A new station building opened in September 1967, replacing earlier structures. Sheep and cattle yards were removed in August 1969.

Historically, Masterton was part of routes like the Napier Express and through services between Palmerston North/Woodville and Wellington, including the Wairarapa Mail. However, through trains to Palmerston North ceased on 1 August 1988 due to low patronage. Today, the station is served by Wairarapa Connection passenger services with varying frequencies: five round trips Monday-Thursday, six on Fridays, and two each way on weekends. Freight services also operate regularly to/from Wellington, often serving the Juken Nissho timber mill at Waingawa.