Demolition update

Demolition of the north end of Platform 2 has progressed well, and construction on a longer south end has started.

Demolition is almost complete

Edging has been placed for the south end

It's not just the ends being dug out...

Overview of the old Platforms 1 and 2, with reconstruction progressing

More digging and a visitor

Today, more evidence of platform digging out was in sight.

Works were also continuing on the new platform at the south

Digging viewed from the bridge: by the end of the day some of the edging had gone as well

A close up view showing the dug out track formation

Papakura station also had a visitor today, in the form of steam locomotive J^A 1240 "Jessica", on its first excursion since being restored by Mainline Steam at Parnell.

"Jessica" awaits departure from Platform 3

Platform 2 digging

The end of Platform 2 is currently being dug out, preparing the platform for shortening at the north end. The finished platform will be even longer as the disused section of platform on the south end will be rebuilt.

Digging up Platform 2

Viewed from the bridge. If you follow the turnout pointing towards the platform ,you can see why the platform needs to be cut back - the new track will straighten out again about where the back of the truck is

Looking through the fence

Presumably this is how far back the platform will be chopped off too

A pile of old tactile dots

Next to the train, digging for new formation has begin

Open for business

Today, the new Platform 3 and refurbished station building opened for business, with the old Platform 2 closing for refurbishment.

But passengers can't tag on at the new platform yet as the tag post is missing some equipment

Tactile strips are also not quite finished

The ticket machine on the new platform also isn't yet working: the ticket office isn't far away however

The signs at various entrances helpfully display which platform each train is departing from

Passengers board a train standing at the new platform

Looking down the new 180m long Platform 3 from the north end

Looking down the platform from the other end

Overview of the station as it is now. Note the section of track that hasn't yet been lifted: presumably this can be reused as it's near new

Looking through the shelters, and the artwork on its glass panels

Looking straight down the new track towards a waiting train

A train waits at the new Platform 3, next to the closed and trackless Platform 2

Looking up onto the deck of the station building. The building contains a ticket office, small museum, toilets and (soon) a cafe

The old signalling equipment is on display in the station building. Note the temporary alteration on the right-hand side, added when the stabling yard tracks were reconfigured

The all-important toilets in the station building, in addition to the existing public toilets on the other side of the station

The former entrance to the old ticket office, now a window

Trucks carry away dirt from the old site of the station building

The new carpark is still under construction

A train passes the old platform, which is to be demolished and replaced

The dock platform is still off limits

With the (near) completion of Platform 3, work now focuses on Platform 2. We will bring you updates to this work as it happens.

Track work

Before the new platform and station building opens tomorrow, the new track needed to be connected. At the same time, the old Platform 2 track (Up Main) was ripped up and is to be relaid later.

Tracks are now connected and ballasted, ready to go tomorrow. Platform 3 is now effectively finished

Tracks at the north end have a temporary ballast road over it, but this will disappear

All electronic signs are now operational, including this one by the entrance by Brandy's...

...as well as this new one at the top of the stairs down to Platforms 1 and 2

Mind the Gap

It's now Platform 2's turn to be refurbished

The entrance to Platform 3 from Railway St West

How did that get there!?

In a bizarre twist, a tamper has appeared on the new track at Papakura, despite connections to the mainline still missing. One can only assume it was craned on overnight.

How did that tamper get there?

No track connection at either end...

Platform 1 and 2's electronic signs are now operational - Platform 2's will be operating for less than a week before being temporarily made redundant

Nearly there

With new information saying that the new Platform 3 will come into use from Monday 19 November, I popped down to see what work had to be done before the new platform opens for service in a week's time.

The entrance to the platform still has some work to be done, but it can be accessed now if temporary fences came down

Near-finished tracks and new signals at the end of Platform 3 and the new dock platform

The new shelter has artwork on it, similar to the artwork on the existing shelters (hard to make out in this photo)

Electronic departure signs also made an appearance at the carpark entrance. Now if only more stations got these...

At the north end, tracks are yet to be connected but the signals are ready to be commissioned

The all-important information signs

Ready to tag on with HOP

The also all-important seats and help posts

While the platform itself is pretty much finished (barring some minor packaging details), the tracks still have to be connected - this could be a big weekend at Papakura, with another shutdown looming.