 The Rimutaka Range posed a severe difficulty to those involved in planning and constructing the Wairarapa Line.On 1 January 1878, the Hutt line opened to Kaitoke at the western foot of the range, and a steep but manageable route with a grade of 1 in 39-40 was found from Kaitoke up the Pakuratahi River valley to the site of Summit station, above sea level.However, from Summit down the eastern slope to Cross Creek near Featherston, a gradient of 1 in 14-16 was required.