Update, and electric train mockup

While not a lot has happened in recent days, work is still going on at Papakura station.

A train passes the new temporary fence at Papakura. This type of fence clips onto the rails

Close up of the fence attached to the rails

Markers have appeared in the old yard space. Hopefully this means some construction will start soon

The isolated Platform 3 looking no different from when it closed

The old east loop has now disappeared completely

This means that the signal that was sitting in the middle of the track is no longer doing so

Remember that Papakura is being redeveloped in preparation for eletrification. This of course means we need new electric trains to run under the wires. A mockup of these new trains (fresh off the boat from Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA - CAF - in Spain) was unveiled by Auckland Transport and mayor Len Brown today, which shows off the driver's cab, high and low floor sections, and the gangway between carriages. Unfortunately, just as I got there, the mockup was being covered up due to the weather, so I only got an exterior photo.

The electric multiple unit (EMU) mockup on display at Queen's Wharf, next to the Cloud

Construction on the new trains is due to start later this year, with the first train arriving in late 2013. The EMUs are due to begin entering service in 2014, with the entire fleet of 57 trains in service by 2016. They will feature the latest technology and onboard services, such as WiFi. The three-car EMUs will have a capacity of 375 passengers. These will also be the first brand new trains Auckland has seen for a very long time - our current fleet are second-hand trains from Perth, Queensland and Britain.

The mockup will be used to gather feedback from staff and passengers, and use this feedback to make changes to the final product. Exciting times ahead for Auckland rail!