It was not until 1897 when the Wairarapa Line finally reached its northern terminus that Woodville again became a station of some importance, 10 years after it opened.

Woodville remained the terminus of the line over the next four years as it was extended through the Manawatū Gorge, finally reaching Palmerston North in March 1891.

Passenger services from Woodville west to Palmerston North and south into the Wairarapa were provided by private coach operators.

The government now had its own rail connection north from Wellington into the Manawatū and Hawkes Bay regions, which led to a significant increase in the amount of freight trafficked through Woodville.

However, the move proved to be unpopular, as the journey time increased by an hour due to the operational requirements of the Rimutaka Incline.

Following the opening of the Rimutaka Tunnel and deviation in 1955, the Wellington – Napier freight trains once again returned to the Wairarapa Line.

In its later years, the Wairarapa Mail was extended from Woodville through to Palmerston North, operating as a mixed service between these two stations.

Locomotive hauled passenger trains through the Wairarapa to Woodville were gradually re-introduced from the mid-1960s, fully replacing the railcars in 1977.

[6] In 1959, the following list of staff members was provided for Woodville: The Railways Department was keen to expand the use of railcars for passenger services following successful trials of the vehicles on select routes in the 1930s and 1940s.

A meeting was organised to rally opposition to the move, but called off a few weeks later when the actual location of the station was revealed.

"[12] In 1963, the east-end (Wairarapa) dock siding at Woodville was extended 180 feet (55 m) and the crossover was shifted to a more central position.

From the debate it is clear the loop was proposed due to the completion of Rimutaka Tunnel, and the subsequent increase of through traffic over the Wairarapa Line.

Prior to the construction of the loop teams of men were required to change the direction of all hooks on through travelling wagons over the Wairarapa Line, and this was done at Masterton or Woodville depending on the period.

[13] On 20 August 1963, the District Engineer was notified that the amount of funding available for the project had been increased to £124,300 for the track alterations and construction of the new loop line, and £41,500 for the new station building.

Advertisements were placed in local newspapers in December 1963 and January 1964 inviting interested parties to submit tenders for the construction of the new building.

ft. and is of composite construction with concrete foundations and floors, timber frame, block veneer and aluminium roof.

In order to minimise disruption to users of the station, the District Traffic Manager was requested to arrange for a temporary Ladies Waiting Room and an office for the numbertaker if required.

On 10 November, Mr. Morris revised the completion date to 4 December, and was requested to carry out several minor tasks that were in addition to the contract.

However, several tasks in the overall project remained outstanding including: demolition of the existing station building and veranda; extension of the veranda at the eastern (Napier) end of the platform; rebuild platform; and lay a new main line, and therefore the Chief Civil Engineer advised the General Manager that an opening ceremony was not warranted at that time.

McAlpine unveiled a plaque that had been mounted on the end wall of the station building to mark the occasion, and which read:

The local Rotary Club, with the assistance of the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand, spruced up the station building in the mid-2000s for the benefit of excursion trains.

[20] Shunts between Palmerston North and Pahiatua pass through Woodville usually on a daily basis (though they may vary with demand) but do not stop there.

In attendance were over 1,000 visitors including those who arrived on two special trains from Wellington and Palmerston North, as well as dignitaries from KiwiRail and the rail heritage community.