Rail Network Rebuild

At Pukekohe, the formation for the old Down Main has been dug up in preparation for rebuilding

28 December 2022

At Drury, just the Up Main remains while the Down Main is rebuilt. The section between Papakura and Pukekohe is already closed to Auckland Transport services, so this section was able to start almost immediately upon the announcement of the rebuild programme

28 December 2022

The Down Main at Drury lifted, with the formation dug up. To the left is the site of the planned park and ride and bus interchange for the new Drury station

28 December 2022

While new signals were installed and commissioned, the signals on the Down Main have now been removed again in preparation for the formation rebuild

28 December 2022

The first stage of the rebuild sees the closure of the Southern Line between Otahuhu and Newmarket, and the Onehunga Line. At this early stage of the project, the only signs of work are disconnected axle counters and signalling equipment along the Onehunga Branch

28 December 2022

At Ellerslie, station access is closed as no services will be using the station until March 2023

28 December 2022

Ellerslie station platform is closed off ahead of the rebuild project starting. The line will be entirely rebuilt here in one go; it is assumed that trains 120 and 129 will be running via Panmure during this time

28 December 2022

Stabled at Penrose with Cyclone Gabrielle imminent, track machines ETM 526, ETM 541 and ETM 554 sit at Platform 3 on the Onehunga Branch, awaiting their next duties on the closed section of line

12 February 2023

At the end of the pack, ETM 554 waits at Platform 3 at Penrose for tasks. The Onehunga Branch is currently closed as part of the Rail Network Rebuild until 19 March

12 February 2023

ETM 541 sitting in the middle, with ETM 526 at the Onehunga end of the consist

12 February 2023

Although hard to tell in the wet weather, sections of track at Penrose have been lifted, dug out and relaid, including part of the curve on the Onehunga Branch

12 February 2023

The current stage of the Rail Network Rebuild is under way between Papakura and Pukekohe, while the line remains closed to metro services. Here, the Down Main at Opaheke Road has been lifted to work on the formation underneath

8 October 2024

The current end of rails on the Down Main at Opaheke Road, just past the level crossing. The line is expected to reopen to metro trains after the Christmas holiday shutdown in January 2025, using electric trains

8 October 2024

During the extended 2024/2025 holiday shutdown, both the Up and Down Mains between Papatoetoe and Puhinui were removed for formation rebuilding, as seen here at Papatoetoe station

7 January 2025

A roller works on the formation underneath the track, during a holiday shutdown. Removing the track in this area also gives a glimpse at the old, lower platform underneath, which was raised in 1993 for the ADK and ADL DMUs

7 January 2025

Looking the other way from the footbridge, formation work under the Up and Down Mains is under way, with the newly built third main still intact

7 January 2025

Looking along the rail corridor south from Papatoetoe, with little sign of actual tracks in place. Above, an Air New Zealand flight is on final approach to Auckland Airport

7 January 2025

A digger loads a truck with ballast at Papatoetoe station, which will then head down the third main to drop off its load

7 January 2025

Further south at Puhinui, the Up and Down Mains are also missing while the formation underneath is rebuilt. A lone departure signal appears to be in the middle of nowhere

7 January 2025

A wider view of the work north of Puhinui station, also with the third main still intact

7 January 2025

Track has also been removed alongside the platform at Puhinui, with the new backshunt also still intact. Also like Papatoetoe, the original lower platform is still visible, with the clear division from the extended platform evident

7 January 2025

Puhinui station platform without track, during formation work underneath. Of note on the platform is a barbeque, presumably used to feed workers

7 January 2025

Looking north from Puhinui station footbridge, while formation works are completed underneath the Up and Down Mains. The third main is in use as an access road and for storage of rails

7 January 2025

At Otahuhu, sections of track have been lifted for work underneath, and at the time we visited, have started to be replaced

18 January 2025