Taming the train lines for improvement
Commuters have been crying foul over breakdowns, lengthy delays and freezing trains, but the end will be worth the wait insists KiwiRail. The rail programme is progressing well and construction on the upgrade projects will continue in 2010, says KiwiRail Senior Communications Advisor Ruth Larsen. She says in addition to platform upgrades, work is also proceeding on extending, electrifying and double tracking at the Kapiti Coast, which will bring regular commuter services to Waikanae. ?The installation of a third main line into Wellington Railway Station will reduce congestion at a known bottleneck in the system. ?There is also significant work underway to improve the reliability of the power system which supports the electric trains ? this includes work on the overhead traction system, and the installation of 11 new substations,? says Mrs Larsen. The upgrade work on station platforms started on the Johnsonville line during the five-week shutdown last summer. To date, upgrades have been completed at Awarua St, Raroa and Khandallah Stations on the Johnsonville Line. ?During the summer shutdown of the Johnsonville Line, all seven tunnels were successfully lowered and therefore made larger for modern trains. At the same time, all three crossing loops on the line were extended so that longer trains will be able to run on the line. ?Work is currently underway at Ngaio and Crofton Downs Stations on the Johnsonville Line, and due to start at Simla Crescent Station on 19 October,? she says. On the Hutt Valley Line, work is complete at Epuni Station, which re-opened to passengers last week and is currently underway at Petone Station. On the Paraparaumu Line work is expected to start at Pukerua Bay Station before the end of the year and at Redwood Station in 2010. Mrs Larsen says the platform work ranges from resurfacing to complete rebuild and to moving the tracks slightly. This last piece of work will be done using a specialised piece of railway equipment called a tamper, and is expected to start on the Paraparaumu Line before the end of the year. The Greater Wellington Regional Council is installing real-time information for buses, and then trains will follow. Most upgraded train stations will have real time information screens installed, but the numbers won't be finalised until next year.
