Currently Browsing: electrification
Bonus Tracks – Photos
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 31st, 2010 | 1 Comment
Rail staff are using the bonus of continuing summer weather, minus a few showers, and the long Auckland Anniversary weekend, with some train services replaced by buses, to do track tidying up work.
This follows several weeks of extensive track lowering for electrification.
Let’s hope those working at Newmarket this weekend are not just checking the tracks but are checking and double-checking the new signal system.
Workers this weekend checking the Newmarket Junction
The tamper machines are checking Boston Rd:
BOSTON RD: Checking the track
And out in force at Mt Eden station:
Earlier...
This Weekend’s Arrangements
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 26th, 2010 | 4 CommentsWork on double tracking of the Western Line continues this long Auckland Anniversary weekend, when some train services are replaced with buses.
Work on preparing bridge and tracks for electrification near the Mt Eden station and around the Parnell tunnel are other priorities Eastern Line train services continue as usual.
Buses will run in place of trains on the Southern Line between Otahuhu and Britomart (via Newmarket) Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
On the Western Line, buses will replace trains between Waitakere and Britomart on Saturday and Monday and between New Lynn and Britomart on Sunday 31...
Normal Train Services Tomorrow. Maybe.
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 18th, 2010 | No Comments
Train arrives at Newmarket today
KiwiRail says it hopes “normal” train services will operate tomorrow i.e. the services that were suppose to resume today after the Christmas break..
But it can’t be certain.
So just in case they don’t, the replacement RailBuses will be on standby to operate.
And if that happens, the Britomart- Newmarket shuttle services will also operate as they did today.
KiwiRail says it will be working overnight to try to complete the commissioning of signalling at Newmarket.
Good luck guys.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Normal Train Services Tomorrow....
Watch your Tamper!
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 16th, 2010 | 4 Comments
It’s hot and time is running out.
It’s less than 48 hours before trains have to start running again on all lines.
It’s getting stressful out there.
Now is the time to tamper – to get the lowered tracks all nice and tidy and make sure they are safely “installed” and balanced.
You’ll see these Ontrack machines around this weekend at places where new tracks or tracks have been lowered.
The tamping machine works by vibrating the ballast and forcing it under the sleeper. These combined actions cause the ballast to form a close matrix which can support the track...
Now It’s MC Hammer Time!
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 16th, 2010 | 1 Comment
Why are you standing there man. You Can't Touch This!
Work is full on at the Sandringham Road / Onslow Rd railbridge this morning as the new and relayed tracks get very close attention.
Bust a few moves
I've toured around the world, from London to the Bay It's "Hammer, go Hammer"
Break it down!Stop, Hammer time!
Make 'em sweat, that's what I'm giving 'em
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Now It’s MC Hammer Time!", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/01/16/now-its-mc-hammer-time/" });
How Auckland’s Rail Electrification Will Look
Posted by Jon C in Wellington, electrificationJan 14th, 2010 | 5 Comments
With the Auckland $1b rail electrification contract signed this afternoon, meaning that the electric masts and wires are on the way - and will start showing up from about August around Auckland, here’s a reminder of how they will look.
This was a KiwiRail imposed image that officials showed local councils to give them an idea.
This is of Papakura station:
Wellington’s electric wires and masts give a flavour of what’s to come – but Wellington is also involved in a massive electric upgrade.
I took these recently at Wellington’s main city station but just before the...
Transport Minister: Get Over Road versus Rail Debate
Posted by Jon C in Newmarket, electrificationJan 14th, 2010 | 9 Comments
The transport minister today called on the public to “get past” the road versus rail debate.
Opening the new Newmarket train station this afternoon, Steven Joyce said that both are needed, especially in Auckland.
Addressing a gathering of key local body mayors and leaders, relevant officials and local MPs he said that it demonstrated the Government’s big commitment to preparing Auckland’s transport infrastructure for the future.”
The opening of the new station and the signing of the $1b electrification contract, which he attended prior to the opening, were milestones.
He said they marked...
Auckland Train Electrification Contract Goes To NZ /Aust Consortium
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 14th, 2010 | 8 Comments
Auckland’s $1b rail electrification contract has been awarded to a consortium of New Zealand’s Hawkins Infrastructure – which has just finished building Newmarket Station – and Australia’s Laing O’Rourke.
They will build the masts, portals and wires under the $80m contract.
About 3,500 masts and portals will be erected around the Auckland rail network to carry the overhead wires.
We’ll start to see some of these masts and wires in the third quarter of this year.
Announcing the details a short time ago, just prior to the opening of the new Newmarket station, KiwiRail’s CEO...
Remuera Station Track Work Done – Photos
Posted by Jon C in Remuera, electrificationJan 13th, 2010 | 10 Comments
Remuera’s station is ready for electric trains.
It was one of the areas targeted in the current holiday period work for preparations for electrificaiton.
Tracks had to be lowered so wires could be placed under the tunnel at the station:
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Remuera Station Track Work Done – Photos", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/01/13/remuera-station-track-work-done-photos/" });
Newmarket Station Officially Opens Thursday With Contract News – Latest Photos
Posted by Jon C in Newmarket, electrificationJan 8th, 2010 | 8 Comments
The new Newmarket station will be officially opened by the transport minister on Thursday next and he’s expected to announce the contract for the electrification project.
That’s the final key for getting Auckland electric trains.
The station will be open to the public on the following Monday when trains resume – but there’s quite some work to be done in the last week.
At Newmarket today, the platform signs are operational…
The escalators are ready for commuters…
The entrance way at Station Square ready to open its doors…
But there’s still some...
Rail Track Work – One Week To Go: Photos
Posted by Jon C in electrificationJan 8th, 2010 | 5 Comments
It’s weird seeing parts of the southern and western Auckland rail network with the tracks missing – and workers have one final week to lay the track formation and finish the work before the trains resume on Monday week.
Bridges around the area are also still getting work done for electrification with the tracks lowered.
Here are some photos as the work progresses:
Remuera bridge work | KiwiRail
St Georges Rd Avondale
Sandringham Rd bridge at Onslow Rd
Tunnel at Kingsland
Sandringham Rd looking towards Kingsland | KiwiRail
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Rail Track Work – One...
“Hey Boss, I Can’t Find The Rail Tracks!”
Posted by Jon C in Mt Eden, electrificationDec 30th, 2009 | 3 Comments
“Hey Boss, sorry to bother you mate but I’ve come to the Mt Eden train station like you directed but I can’t find the rail tracks…”
“Yeah I know, the guys here said they’re sure they had seem them the other day but they sure aren’t here now. Thank goodness there are no trains coming. Joe’s here with the digger but he’s looked around too and can’t see them so he doesn’t know what to do.”
“No, we’re up to our ears in it here. It’s just mud and crap.”
“What’s that? Yeah, well I don’t...
Rail Tracks Get Lowered – Latest Photos
Posted by Jon C in electrificationDec 29th, 2009 | No Comments
The task is now beginning of lowering the rail tracks that have been uplifted around a number of train stations and overbridges.
This is part of the electrification project.
For example, here near the Sandringham Road overbridge, tracks beneath and on either side of Sandringham Road were removed the last few days.
This morning, workers, on a 24-hour roster, are preparing to lower the tracks to ensure there’s enough clearance for the electrified overhead wires under the bridge. In the Sandringham Rd case, they are also laying some new track near George St.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Rail...
Tracks Removed At Sandringham Rd For Electric Train Changes -Photos
Posted by Jon C in electrificationDec 27th, 2009 | No Comments
Final work is being done tonight to remove the train tracks from around Sandringham Rd’s rail network as part of the work to prepare the Auckland train network for electric trains.
From tomorrow and until New Year’s Day, crews will work 24 hours a day around the Sandringham Road rail bridge, just down from Eden Park and near Kingsland.
They will be lowering the tracks beneath that Sandringham Rd rail overbridge to ensure there’s enough clearance for the electrified overhead wires.
The workers will also be installing new sections of track near George Street – just west...
Lowering The Tracks for Auckland’s Rail Electrification (Photos)
Posted by Jon C in Mt Eden, electrificationDec 27th, 2009 | No Comments
A big job to enable electrification to happen is that the tracks have to be lowered around rail overbridges to enable enough clearance beneath for the electrified overhead wires.
Over the next few days, such work is in earnest at the Mt Eden rail overbridge, near the Mt Eden station.
The first task is to remove the tracks beneath and either side of Mt Eden Rd.
Later today, excavators will move in to carry out the bulk excavation needed to lower the track level.
Workers there are also:
building crib walls on the north-eastern side of the bridge
installing piles and drainage next to the Pressprint...
Sturges Rd Railbridge Is Cracked (Photos)
Posted by Jon C in Sturges Road, electrificationDec 7th, 2009 | 5 Comments
Henderson’s Sturges Road rail bridge is clearly cracked.
The old bridge was built in 1940 by the government NZ Railways department so steam trains could cope with the gradient.
CRACKED: Crack shown above is on the far right
Improvements are also needed to provide 60cm more clearance for electrification and for the double track underneath.
Preparation work has begun for the construction of a new bridge – but the local council, Waitakere, will have to shoulder most of the cost – unlike the situation in posher Newmarket where Kiwirail paid for all of it.
For a new Sturges Rd bridge, Kiwirail...
Electric Rail Tender Announcement A Year Away
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 30th, 2009 | 2 Comments
The tender process for Auckland’s electric trains will take almost a year.
KiwiRail has outlined its timetable. It is starting a review of the information that has already been gathered and then get a Request for Tender document into the market place around January. It will award a tender before the end of next year.
While it sounds a long time, the tender process takes this length and it will still enable the trains to come on board in 2013.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Electric Rail Tender Announcement A Year Away", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2009/11/30/electric-rail-tender-announcement-a-year-away/"...
Call For More Info On Hints Of Train Fare Rise
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 25th, 2009 | 3 CommentsThere were strong hints in yesterday’s electrification announcement that our present train fares will have to rise – but to realistic, the fares are pretty reasonable at the moment.
Manukau Mayor Len Brown says that he wants to understand if there will be any implications for fares in the longer term when this is a loan rather than direct funding. But he agrees funding for electric trains is the kickstart needed to get more of his residents using public transport.
“Certainty around government funding for transport is always a major concern so confirmation of this loan is welcome. Along...
Guest Blog: Jeremy Harris On Why We Need Electric Trains
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 25th, 2009 | 4 CommentsReader Jeremy Harris explains: Why rail? What’s so great about electrification?
The case for rail is mainly around capacity. A lane of motorway in New Zealand can handle about 2,400 cars per hour, with the average car in New Zealand containing 1.4 people, this means about 3,360 people per hour can move through a lane of motorway. A heavy railway can move 25,000 – 40,000 people when good trains and infrastructure are in place. A railway occupies roughly the same amount of land as a lane of motorway.
This capacity advantage becomes very important when we look at the development of Auckland’s...
Backgrounder To Today’s Announcement
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 24th, 2009 | No CommentsHere is the transport ministry’s backgrounder to today’s announcement:
What is this announcement about?
The government has approved funding of $500 million to enable the procurement of new electric trains for Auckland.
The $500 million will initially be provided to KiwiRail as a loan. Final decisions as to whether the funding will be provided as a loan or equity will depend on other work on KiwiRail’s capital structure.
Work is already underway on electrifying the urban rail network – a $500 million project to erect power lines, provide new signalling and adapt bridges for...
Now Comes Eco City Auckland, Says Bob Harvey
Posted by Jon C in Waikato, electrificationNov 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, who has been a great fighter for rail (and managed great New Lynn and Henderson developments to happen in his area) hails today’s electrification decision as great for the environment.
He calls it is a step toward an eco city Auckland.
He is of course mayor of one of the world’s first declared eco cities, Waitakere and well deserves the accolades for that.
“This is great news for the West and for Auckland. Waitakere’s eco city vision is becoming regional.
“Electric rail is the future for Auckland. The idea of having a personal car is going out of date....
“Historic Day” for Auckland
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment
Today is being hailed as an historic day for Auckland.
The transport minister’s confirmation of $500m for Auckland’s rail electrification – with more detail to come – puts an end to worries that the government has gone cold on electrification
I hope ARC chairman Mike Lee has a wine to celebrate tonight because he has fought hard for this – and he calls it “an historic moment for Auckland.
As he puts it: “Fast, frequent, efficient and modern electric train services can now be a reality.”
And as we all know, that can’t come too soon after all...
At Last: Steven’s Electrification Funding Announced
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 24th, 2009 | 4 Comments
Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, has just announced his funding decision for Auckland’s rail electrification, which have got Cabinet approval.
Kiwirail's image of how electricifcation lines will look at Papakura
Here are the details:
Cabinet approved funding of $500 million for the purchase of electric trains.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the confirmation of this funding will see the procurement process underway early in the new year, with the first electric trains on the ground and operational from 2013.
“After double tracking, electrification is the important next stage...
How Rail Electrification Will Look at Stations – Can Auckland’s Landscape Cope?
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 13th, 2009 | 18 Comments
This is how Kiwirail is showing Auckland councils how electrification will look at stations and in their region’s landscape – in this case Papakura.
Andrew, who is doing an interesting blog on living without a car for a month reprinted the superimposed photos from a Kiwirail newsletter.
This look at Swanson of what the masts and wires will look like, which hopefully won’t set some of the eco-councillors into a tizzy in Waitakere.
The newsletter quoted by Andrew says:
The first photo is looking south along the NIMT towards Papakura Station. The single track cantilevers shown...
Electrification Work The Weekend’s Priority
Posted by Jon C in electrificationNov 7th, 2009 | No Comments
The complex job of preparing Auckland’s rail system for electrification is a priority for development work taking place this weekend while buses replace trains on the Western line.
Bridge work on the western line began at labour weekend and continues at full strength this weekend. Adjustments have to be made to the rail tracks near the Sandringham Rd and Mt Eden Rd rail overbridges to ensure that there’s enough clearance for overhead wires to run beneath it.
This work involves
Adjustments to the bridge abutments to accommodate the changed track heights
Adjusting the railway tracks...
About
I began this as a diary about catching an Auckland train & to create an online record of rail & motorway development. Now it's called AKT as it covers news & views from rail to motorways, the Auckland harbour crossing debate & cycle trails.
More in the About section including copyright details.
Follow AKT on Twitter or Youtube and this site is iPhone friendly.
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND