An inspection of the passenger shelter in 1963 revealed that it was in such a poor state that it was not economical to repair it and its replacement with a smaller structure was recommended.

Fernside was never considered to be particularly important, but one of the more interesting facets of its history was that the Railways Department constructed a stone crushing plant there near the south bank of the Tauherenikau River in 1908.

A backshunt that served as a service siding was retained at Fernside for use by the Way and Works bridge maintenance crew as a place where wagons of material and mobile workers huts could be stored.

[8] From 1936 when the NZR RM class Wairarapa-type railcars were introduced passengers from Fernside had a much faster service to points both north and south.

The Wairarapa Mail passenger trains continued to run but in 1944 were reduced from their Monday – Saturday timetable to a thrice weekly service due to a severe coal shortage.

The private motorcar was already having an effect on smaller railway stations and Fernside was no exception with patronage steadily declining.

[9] In 1963 patronage was considered to be "light" and by 1975 it was no longer sufficient to warrant keeping the station open leading to its closure to all traffic on 30 March.