Rail Upgrade

Historic Newmarket signal box makes way for computerised signalling

25 January 2008

Press release by ONTRACK

The click of a computer mouse will replace manually operated signals and points at Newmarket junction in Auckland on Friday 25 January when ONTRACK de-commissions the historic two-storied signal box at the station.

The replacement of the 99-year old Newmarket signal box by a combination of computerised safety equipment on the station site and a state-of-the-art control centre at Britomart, is another step in the upgrade of Auckland’s metropolitan railway network.

Over Auckland Anniversary weekend, it will be accompanied by the commissioning of a new section of track connecting Newmarket and the western line, creating a direct connection between Britomart and the western line for the first time.

In addition, two temporary stations – at Kingdon Street and Remuera Road - will be opened to serve commuters while the main Newmarket station is being re-developed.

ONTRACK Chairman Cam Moore says events at Newmarket during Auckland Anniversary weekend will be a big step towards returning the railway junction to its former status as the cog around which the Auckland rail network turns.

“Newmarket has been an important railway junction since the opening of the line to Helensville in the early 1880s. Its character has changed dramatically over the years, but it has remained a railway junction and is the second busiest railway station on the Auckland network after Britomart.

“Rebuilding Newmarket and junction is probably the most challenging of all Auckland rail upgrade (Project DART) projects because it involves major construction in a very confined area. We’ve also had to work around the need to keep the station operating.

“We can say with confidence, ‘so far so good’. With the patience and goodwill of commuters and the local community, we’ve made significant progress.”

Mr Moore says the de-commisioning of the lever-operated signal box in favour of railway signalling at the click of a computer mouse is symbolic of the changes occurring on the New Zealand rail network.

“When we took responsibility for the network in 2004, we realised we had a big task ahead of us, not only to improve the basic railway but also to modernise the signalling systems and associated infrastructure.”

He said moving signalling and points control to the new Britomart Control Centre marks the beginning of the next era in railway signalling.  Britomart’s new, state-of-the-art control centre provides a digital connection to the Auckland rail network’s signalling systems and National Train Control in Wellington.

The centralisation of systems allows either location to control Auckland trains, providing greater flexibility of coverage and back-up.

Although the signal box is being decommissioned, its future is secure. Along with the Newmarket station building, it will be moved to a secure location until a permanent home has been determined.

Major changes ahead for rail commuters in Newmarket

28 January 2008

Press release by ONTRACK

Western line train commuters will notice a big change in their journey into Auckland City tomorrow morning - rather than the usual short detour into Newmarket station their trains will sweep around a new curve of track and head directly into Britomart station.

Newmarket-bound commuters will also begin using two new temporary stations – one for the western line and one for the southern line - replacing the main Newmarket station which was closed Friday night for redevelopment.

Hundreds of ONTRACK staff and contractors have worked around the clock since Friday evening to finish and commission the new track and signalling, which creates for the first time a direct connection between Britomart and the west.

The new section of track uses rail technology rarely used in New Zealand – the rails on the tight curve are laid on a solid concrete slab rather than the usual sleepers.   

The long weekend’s work was the most significant - and challenging - change to Auckland’s rail network since the opening of Britomart station nearly 10 years ago.  It is a critical step in the redevelopment of Newmarket junction and station - the second busiest on Auckland’s rail network. 

The weekend’s work also saw the replacement of the old manually operated signals and points at the junction replaced by a combination of computerised safety equipment on the station site and a state of the art control centre at Britomart.

At the same time workers put the finishing touches to the two temporary stations – one at Kingdon St for western line commuters and one on Remuera Rd for those using the southern line.

The work is part of Project DART, ONTRACK’s $600 million upgrade of Auckland’s rail network to enable more frequent and reliable train services.  A major redesign of the track through the junction area is planned so trains can keep running smoothly through this busy part of the network.