[8] A service had been planned from 25 February 1878[9] and the Governor General went over the line on 27 March 1878,[10] but opening was still postponed[11] as large quantities of gravel were poured into a hole.

[14] A 1943 notice noted that owing to the danger of track subsidence, no engine must be allowed to remain stationary on the siding for any length of time.

[15] Tests in 1981 found that the track deformed by about 12mm each time a train went over it, due to the peat swamp.

[16] A road to the station was formed in 1879, a siding in 1881, by 1882 it had a 5th class stationmaster's house and gatekeeper's house, by 1884 also a shelter shed, platform and a cart approach, 30 ft (9.1 m) by 20 ft (6.1 m) goods shed and, by 1896, it had cattle yards.

[15] On 12 September 1971 Rukuhia closed to all traffic[15] and only a passing loop remains.