Third Main

At Puhinui, new tracks have appeared on both future platforms, with the third main on the other side using one platform and the track pictured using the other. AM 877 stops at Puhinui on a service to Papakura next to the new track, which is to be used as a backshunt from Wiri depot in the interim

11 April 2023

North of Puhinui, new track has been laid to connect with the existing track laid past the platforms. The existing track is currently used as a backshunt from Wiri depot, while the third main is under construction

11 April 2023

At Papatoetoe, new track has been laid next to the park and ride. Evident on the gantry above is infrastructure for electrification, suggesting that this track could one day be used for express and other non-stop services

16 April 2023

The new third track extends northwards from the Papatoetoe platform towards Middlemore

16 April 2023

A gap currently exists in the track underneath the footbridge, before new track appears again passing underneath Station Road

16 April 2023

Papatoetoe station, soon to have three operational tracks passing by

16 April 2023

The current end of the rails near the Papatoetoe station footbridge

16 April 2023

AM 580 runs a Southern Line service towards Papakura stopping at Papatoetoe, with AM 225 on the Up Main heading for Otahuhu

16 April 2023

Departing Papatoetoe past the new tracks, AM 580 continutes its journey south to Papakura. In the distance Puhinui Interchange can be seen, where four tracks now run through the station area

16 April 2023

At Puhinui, the third main has been connected to the backshunt, with the track now running from Wiri to Papatoetoe. A new track has been constructed on the other side on the future fourth platform to replace this track's function as a backshunt from Wiri depot

3 January 2024

At Middlemore, major works are required to get the third main around the side platforms, with insufficient space in the rail corridor alone to fit the track. With a solution now worked out with Te Whatu Ora, work on the new formation has commenced, with a digger working on the existing turnout just north of the platform

3 January 2024

At Middlemore station, a temporary section of platform has been constructed to allow the northern section to be closed while still allowing 6-car trains to stop at the station

3 January 2024

The northern section of the citybound platform is now closed off, to allow construction of the formation for the third main

3 January 2024

Alongside the Up platform, formation work has started for the additional track through the station area

3 January 2024

An overview of the work site for third main works

3 January 2024

A land swap deal with Te Whatu Ora, which owns the land and road for a staff car park for Middlemore Hospital, has allowed KiwiRail to proceed with the third main works through Middlemore. Here, the Te Whatu Ora road has been temporarily relocated and the old road closed for construction work

3 January 2024

Temporary changes to Te Whatu Ora's private road layout, with third main works behind the Upl platform

3 January 2024

With construction work blocking off the road on the western side, stairs from the bridge now only lead to the platform, requiring this section of the platform to remain open despite no train services running

3 January 2024

No tracks are complete through this area at present, with both the Up and Down Mains lifted for formation work, and the third main not yet constructed

14 January 2025

Formation works under way through Middlemore station, with the end of the three tracks in the background. Fabric mesh was in place on the bridge, preventing a fully clear view

14 January 2025

Looking north from the footbridge, formation work is in progress at Middlemore. The Up platform on the left is being converted into an island platform, with all three tracks having access to platforms

14 January 2025

Further along the footbridge, the new formation for the third main is visible, as well as the new set of stairs to the platform. The new stairs are now in use, providing access to the hospital's staff car park to the left of this view even during station closures

14 January 2025

One of the few opportunities to stand on a platform during a rail closure sees the formation work under way on the Up and Down Mains, with the brand new footbridge in the background

14 January 2025

As the railway sits between the hospital and its staff car park, foot access across the rail corridor needs to be maintained at all times. This small temporary bridge provides access across the third main corridor until the footbridge is fully completed

14 January 2025