Rimutaka Tunnel The first shot was fired in 1948 when the Public Works Department started the tunnel with bores of at the western end and at the eastern end. A contract for completing the tunnel was let to a consortium of Morrison Knudsen Inc. and Downer and Company on 7 May 1951. The work commenced at the west end in July 1951 and at the east end in August. The contract was expected to be completed in four years, but the headings met on 20 April 1954 with the concrete lining finished a month later. New Zealand Railways took possession of the
Woodville railway station, Manawatu-Wanganui and on 17 November it was decided instead to replace the station. In legislation and Hansard the proposed Woodville balloon loop was referred to as the 'Woodville Connection'. It was approved by the Finance Act of 1957 and the written description of the line was as follows; A connecting line leaving the Wellington to Woodville Railway near the Manga-atua Stream and running in a westerly direction to a junction with the Palmerston North to Napier Railway at McLean Street. Length about 1¼ miles. From the debate it is clear the loop was proposed due to the completion of Rimutaka Tunnel,