Western Line, Auckland
Encyclopedia
The Western Line in Auckland, New Zealand is the name given to suburban services that operate between Britomart
and Waitakere
via Newmarket
.
, Colin McLachlan
, announced it would be cancelled due to a lack of rolling stock. On 18 August 1980, a new timetable was implemented - it eliminated the Helensville service and Croydon Road, St Georges Street, and Westbrook stations were closed to suburban traffic on a trial basis. Commuter trains nowadays terminate at Waitakere
, Swanson
, or Henderson
, and with traffic volumes increasing, the line is progressively being upgraded.
Since the early 1990s, Auckland's commuter services have been revitalised. The ADK and ADL classes of diesel multiple unit
s (DMUs) were purchased in 1993 to replace locomotive-hauled carriage trains. In 1997, as the DMUs stimulated increased patronage, work was undertaken by the Auckland Regional Council
to extend platforms so that longer trains could be accommodated. So that more frequent services could be run, construction began on 9 April 2004 to double track
the line between Mount Eden and Morningside
. When this new track entered service, a new timetable was introduced on 14 February 2005 with more frequent trains between Britomart
and Waitakere, particularly during peak periods. This timetable also introduced short run services between Britomart and New Lynn. This was followed by the opening of a new double platform Kingsland station
on 21 May 2005, replacing the old single platform station. Further patronage growth meant that on 25 October 2005, another new timetable was implemented and it featured the re-introduction of features that had been absent for many years, including express services from Waitakere to Britomart on weekdays and Sunday trains between Britomart and New Lynn. The weekday service frequency to Swanson was cut to 37 minutes, but this meant trains to Waitakere ran only every 74 minutes.
Helensville Trial
Beyond Waitakere, services between Auckland and Helensville resumed in July 2008 on a trial basis, with a minimum of forty passengers daily required for the train to be permanently reinstated, but the service was terminated again in December 2009, because only an average of 43 passengers per day used the thre daily services, causing a much above-average subsidy.
Double-tracking
The first section of the duplication had been undertaken by Auckland Regional Council
, as 'Project Boston', adding 2.2km of double track between Boston Road Train Station
and Morningside Train Station
by early 2005.
In May 2005, work began to prepare the rail corridor between New Lynn and Henderson
for double tracking and construction of the double track commenced on 31 December 2005. On 19 December 2006, the central government approved a NZ$
120 million package for double trackage in the other direction from New Lynn to Avondale
; this included a 1 km long, 8 m deep trench through the centre of New Lynn for which construction began in 2009.
On 8 June 2010 the double tracking of the Western Line was finally completed, enabling trains to run in both directions on one of two tracks all the way between the Britomart Transport Centre in the Auckland City Centre and the Swanson Station in Waitakere. The double-tracking cost $420 million and employed around 400 people. The last section was a 3km stretch between Avondale Train Station
and Titirangi Road in New Lynn.
under the MAXX brand.
Britomart Transport Centre
Britomart Transport Centre is the CBD public transport hub of Auckland, New Zealand, and the northern terminus of the North Island Main Trunk line. It combines a bus interchange with a railway station in a former Edwardian post office, extended with expansive post-modernist architectural elements...
and Waitakere
Waitakere Train Station
Waitakere Railway Station is located in the Waitakere suburb/village at the end of the Western Line of the Auckland Suburban Network in New Zealand and is currently the terminus for most Western Line services....
via Newmarket
Newmarket Train Station, Auckland
Newmarket Train Station is located in the Auckland, New Zealand suburb of Newmarket, on the Southern and Western Lines of the Auckland railway network. Serving the busy commercial centre of Newmarket, the station is the second-busiest train station in Auckland, after Britomart...
.
Routing
From Britomart to Newmarket, the line uses the Auckland - Newmarket Line, then follows the North Auckland Line to Waitakere, the current northernmost station on the network.History
By the early 20th century, an intensive suburban service ran between Auckland and Henderson, with some trains progressing to Waitakere and Helensville. When the mixed trains were withdrawn, Helensville became New Zealand's northern passenger terminus with a daily service to Auckland. However, in February 1980, the Minister of RailwaysMinister of Railways (New Zealand)
The Minister of Railways was the minister in the government responsible for the New Zealand Railways Department 1895–1981, the New Zealand Railways Corporation 1981–1993, and New Zealand Rail Limited 1990–1993...
, Colin McLachlan
Colin McLachlan
Colin Campbell Alexander McLachlan was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. A farmer by profession, he was the Member of Parliament for Selwyn 1966–72, Rakaia 1972–78, then Selwyn again 1978–81, when he retired....
, announced it would be cancelled due to a lack of rolling stock. On 18 August 1980, a new timetable was implemented - it eliminated the Helensville service and Croydon Road, St Georges Street, and Westbrook stations were closed to suburban traffic on a trial basis. Commuter trains nowadays terminate at Waitakere
Waitakere Train Station
Waitakere Railway Station is located in the Waitakere suburb/village at the end of the Western Line of the Auckland Suburban Network in New Zealand and is currently the terminus for most Western Line services....
, Swanson
Swanson Train Station
Swanson Train Station is located on the Western Line of the Auckland Railway Network.-History:* 1920: A signal box was established here.* 1925: The signal box was destroyed by fire following a lighting strike....
, or Henderson
Henderson Train Station
Henderson Train Station is a major station on the Western Line of the Auckland railway network. It is near the town centre of Henderson and the new Council offices, as well as a major shopping centre, Westfield WestCity.-Major upgrade:...
, and with traffic volumes increasing, the line is progressively being upgraded.
Since the early 1990s, Auckland's commuter services have been revitalised. The ADK and ADL classes of diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s (DMUs) were purchased in 1993 to replace locomotive-hauled carriage trains. In 1997, as the DMUs stimulated increased patronage, work was undertaken by the Auckland Regional Council
Auckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
to extend platforms so that longer trains could be accommodated. So that more frequent services could be run, construction began on 9 April 2004 to double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
the line between Mount Eden and Morningside
Morningside Train Station
Morningside Railway Station is on the Western Line of the Auckland Railway Network. It has an island platform and is reached from a level crossing on Morningside Drive and by an underpass from New North Road.- History :...
. When this new track entered service, a new timetable was introduced on 14 February 2005 with more frequent trains between Britomart
Britomart Transport Centre
Britomart Transport Centre is the CBD public transport hub of Auckland, New Zealand, and the northern terminus of the North Island Main Trunk line. It combines a bus interchange with a railway station in a former Edwardian post office, extended with expansive post-modernist architectural elements...
and Waitakere, particularly during peak periods. This timetable also introduced short run services between Britomart and New Lynn. This was followed by the opening of a new double platform Kingsland station
Kingsland Train Station
Kingsland Railway Station is on the Western Line of the Auckland railway network. It is near Eden Park, the major rugby stadium in Auckland. The station has a side platform layout and is reached from both New North Road & Sandringham Road....
on 21 May 2005, replacing the old single platform station. Further patronage growth meant that on 25 October 2005, another new timetable was implemented and it featured the re-introduction of features that had been absent for many years, including express services from Waitakere to Britomart on weekdays and Sunday trains between Britomart and New Lynn. The weekday service frequency to Swanson was cut to 37 minutes, but this meant trains to Waitakere ran only every 74 minutes.
Helensville Trial
Beyond Waitakere, services between Auckland and Helensville resumed in July 2008 on a trial basis, with a minimum of forty passengers daily required for the train to be permanently reinstated, but the service was terminated again in December 2009, because only an average of 43 passengers per day used the thre daily services, causing a much above-average subsidy.
Double-tracking
The first section of the duplication had been undertaken by Auckland Regional Council
Auckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
, as 'Project Boston', adding 2.2km of double track between Boston Road Train Station
Boston Road Train Station
Boston Road Railway Station was on the Western Line of the Auckland Suburban Railway Network, near St Peter's College and Auckland Grammar School. The station was below State Highway 1, one of the busiest motorways in New Zealand. At the southern end of the station is the north western wall of Mt...
and Morningside Train Station
Morningside Train Station
Morningside Railway Station is on the Western Line of the Auckland Railway Network. It has an island platform and is reached from a level crossing on Morningside Drive and by an underpass from New North Road.- History :...
by early 2005.
In May 2005, work began to prepare the rail corridor between New Lynn and Henderson
Henderson Train Station
Henderson Train Station is a major station on the Western Line of the Auckland railway network. It is near the town centre of Henderson and the new Council offices, as well as a major shopping centre, Westfield WestCity.-Major upgrade:...
for double tracking and construction of the double track commenced on 31 December 2005. On 19 December 2006, the central government approved a NZ$
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
120 million package for double trackage in the other direction from New Lynn to Avondale
Avondale Train Station
Avondale Railway Station is on the Western Line of the Auckland railway network. The proposed Avondale–Southdown Line would connect to the Western Line just east of the station.- History :...
; this included a 1 km long, 8 m deep trench through the centre of New Lynn for which construction began in 2009.
On 8 June 2010 the double tracking of the Western Line was finally completed, enabling trains to run in both directions on one of two tracks all the way between the Britomart Transport Centre in the Auckland City Centre and the Swanson Station in Waitakere. The double-tracking cost $420 million and employed around 400 people. The last section was a 3km stretch between Avondale Train Station
Avondale Train Station
Avondale Railway Station is on the Western Line of the Auckland railway network. The proposed Avondale–Southdown Line would connect to the Western Line just east of the station.- History :...
and Titirangi Road in New Lynn.
Services
Suburban services are operated by VeoliaVeolia (New Zealand)
Veolia Transport Auckland, formerly Connex Auckland Ltd, is a division of Australasia's largest passenger train company, French-owned Veolia. It runs Auckland's urban passenger trains under contract from Auckland Transport under their MAXX brand, on infrastructure owned and managed by KiwiRail...
under the MAXX brand.