Update: 1 October

Visibly, work has been quite quiet recently, however wiring and pipes have been going in and other under-platform facilities installed, before laying the surface.

Quietly demolition on the old south end of the island platform is progressing. Hopefully it isn't an eyesore for too much longer

Almost looking finished, the north end of the new platform is just about finished

The last remains of the original Platform 3 next to the fence feet

The two shelters and the station building

Progress

The frames for the new shelters are complete and awaiting roofs.

Yesterday, 21 September, the platform surface was also being covered with steamroller tracks

The completed frames of the two shelters yesterday

The station at it appeared today during the shutdown. Work was focused away from the platforms

And Papakura finally has a working ticket machine!

But it only accepts correct change for now

Shelter and anti-graffiti

A new shelter is now being built on the new platforms, as anti-graffiti film is applied to the existing one.

The new shelter being constructed on the new platform, similar to the existing shelters on the existing platform and at other stations

Meanwhile on Platform 1, workers install clear anti-graffiti film over the top of photos displayed on the shelter glass

Quick update

There's now a tiny bit of surfacing on the new platform, which isn't really on the platform.

Surfacing has appeared on the new walkway at the north end

 And the new ticket machine shows signs of working, but actually isn't.

Asking for a login password

 And the station building is nearing completion.

Nearly there! A bit of roof work, some doors and windows and the exterior should be finished

The station building viewed from the existing platform

Ticket machines and building refurbishment

Today, 10 September 2012, marks a (long overdue) point in history for the Auckland rail network. For what is possibly the first time ever, the way tickets are sold is being changed, bringing an end to onboard sales and instead selling tickets before boarding, bringing the system into line with the rest of the world (finally). Ticket machines began rolling out today, with Britomart, Newmarket, New Lynn and some Western Line stations having live machines. The original plan was to have all machines rolled out at once, but due to vandalism in the south, other machines will be rolled out during the week.

In the future these machines will also allow HOP users to top up their card, although AT HOP (not Snapper HOP, or "SnOP" as currently used on NZ Bus services) does not roll out until 28 October this year.

After 31 December 2012, current ten trip tickets will no longer be valid for travel, so dig out your old tickets and use the last couple of trips.

Papakura's ticket machine, with most of the decals applied

Focusing on Papakura itself, the station building has now regained much of its former glory, having been repainted from top to bottom and the demolished section now nearly fully rebuilt. Platform works continue their slow road to completion.

The station building as of today, nearly fully repainted and with new shelters

The station building from the footbridge, still some work to be done

Days gone by: the station building as it appeared shortly after its big move on 11 August

The station building as it used to be, before the station had been touched for this project - 23 April 2012

Station building update

The station building has received new paint and shelters, but not much else has really happened.

The station building with a new coat of paint on the walls and new shelters

I've also put together a video of some trains around the site, showing the state of the station.

End of the weekend

At the end of the weekend the track was back in place, but curiously appeared more or less as it did before the track was lifted.

A freight train passes what appears to be a disused railway station

A digger spreads ballast over the tracks ready for tamping

New section of track on the northbound track (Up main) after tamping