Ballast work

The crew have started laying ballast on the formation, at the south end of Platform 1. With Easter rapidly approaching, surely we must be going to see the last of the track laying soon.

Ballast laying to the south

Work also continues on the carpark

Formation update and sketching plans

Formation work is progressing well, with the ground looking almost ready for some ballast.

At the north, drains are still being installed

Drains are also still being installed at the south end of the platform

South of the platform, the formations look almost finished

Seats and other station furnishings have appeared

Some more work has finally been done on the carpark, with a footpath appearing behind the station building

I was also lucky enough to be sent some staging (planning) diagrams by project manager Aiman Grace, who has given me permission to post them here.

The final track layout, both on its own and overlaid on the old layout

Stages 1 and 2: installing additional crossovers and cutting back the east loop

Stage 3: removing the old yard and signalling commissioning

Stage 4: Platform 3/4 construction

Stage 5: Platform 2 constrction

Stage 6: Mainline construction and finalisation works

Formation works

Formation works on Platform 1 are now in full swing, with the ground being dug out for ballast.

Overview from Clevedon Road

The platform just about looks finished with tactile dots installed, although some asphalt is still missing

Digging hasn't quite reached the north end of the platform

Minor updates

A few quick photo updates from today:

A new station entrance sign has been installed (probably some time ago). The old one made reference to the three platforms and had MAXX branding

The end of Platforms 1 and 2 have been tidied up and now feature stairs onto the trackbed

Formation works continue, with a trench now having been dug

The new runaway siding from Platform 4

A trip down Memory Line

Some people (especially those who have been around longer than I have) may remember what Papakura station used to look like way back in 1991, when the current diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains were still in service in Perth (just), and when ordinary freight locomotives were hauling plain red carriages*.

While browsing the Campaign for Better Transport Forums, I noticed user AKL_Train_Driver had posted some old videos from back in the day, including this gem from Papakura:

The station has been virtually obliterated and rebuilt since then: Platform 3 still has the old shelter, the old footbridge was still around (the current one opened in 2007), the bus depot still stands, Clevedon Road still had the old two-lane bridge and Noel Leeming etc. were still years away from development. It's interesting to see how the station has changed in a little over 20 years.

*Although similar trains do run today, these are vastly improved over the old trains, using carriages extensively rebuilt for suburban service instead of using the nearest available carriage, and with controls at both ends of the train instead of having to turn the locomotive (which was the nearest available freight locomotive).

Platform sealing

Sealing has begun on the new section of Platform 1.

The shelter is almost complete, while sealing work goes on around it

Serious work is also happening with the new formation

Finished mast bases between Platforms 2 and 3. It may be some time before masts are installed as the concrete needs to "cure" first before weight can be placed on it

A diesel train stands by part of the infrastructure that will allow its eventual withdrawl

Mast bases

During this weekend's shutdown, mast bases were being installed at the station (finally).

Mast bases being installed at the north end of the station

Bases being installed at the south end

Platform 1 looks almost ready for sealing

A runaway siding is being built from Platform 4, the dock platform

The carpark hasn't seen much work since the station building was moved

Mast base construction south of Onslow Road. For now, electrification will finish just down the line, but will hopefully be extended to Pukekohe

The truck that pumps concrete into the holes drilled