Signs are now up at Papakura station advising of the closure of Platform 3 from Saturday 2 June, to allow the platform to be rebuilt. At the same time, access to the east siding, west siding and west loop will also cease to be usable, leaving only the two main lines (Platforms 1 and 2) and the stabling yard operational; a consequence of the new signalling being commissioned that weekend. (There's really not much point installing a fancy new signalling system for a track that'll be ripped up and built over in mere months.)
Papakura's long-disused turntable has also been removed, but instead of being turned into knives and forks, it will see a new life at Glenbrook Vintage Railway, who presently have no turning facilities. As far as I'm aware the last time the turntable itself was used could probably be 1993, when locomotive hauled trains were phased out* in favour of the "new" diesel multiple units (DMU). The track leading to the turntable has been used since, most recently to store a broken down locomotive before it was able to be towed to Westfield.
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| Papakura's turntable in 2009. Since this photo was taken its condition has deteriorated further. All that remains now is the pit |
*Note: Today's locomotive hauled passenger trains have a driving cab on the last carriage on the train, so the locomotive never needs turning in regular service
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