Lifting track and nostalgia

KiwiRail are certainly making fast work of removing the old tracks at Papakura.

The track for Platform 3 has seen better days: it isn't exactly as straight as it used to be

A telephoto compressed shot highlighting the now crooked track

Tracks rising out of the mud

Close-up showing the sleepers out of the ground

This track has been unbolted but not yet lifted

Last Day Photos

I've also received some photos from Veolia Transport and KiwiRail suburban driver Andrew James of the last train through Papakura under the old lever signalling, so I thought I'll share them here.

Papakura signal panel layout as at decommissioning. Note the paper taped on the right side; this was a temporary alteration made when the stabling yard tracks were reconfigured. Photo: Andrew James

The last train to be signalled under manual signalling, the southbound Overlander to Wellington, arrives on time. It was also the only passenger train to use the station that day, as the northbound Overlander terminated at Hamilton. Photo: Andrew James

Signallers Tom Davis (left) and Chris Marshall operate the panel. Photo: Veolia Transport

Tom Davis operates a signal lever. Photo: Veolia Transport

Tom Davis greets Overlander driver Barry Cryer. Photo: Veolia Transport

The signal for departing trains changes to red for the last time. Photo: Andrew James

The decommissioning team arrive. Photo: Andrew James

And one more photo of the last significant train to use the yard and platform, an excursion run by the Railway Enthusiasts Society.

Ja 1250 "Diana" waits at Papakura Platform 3 on 19 May 2012, before departing for Te Kuiti