New Zealand railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in New Zealand.
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NewsKiwiRail welcomes Interislander train ferry replacement agreement
NEW ZEALAND: The government has announced an order for two rail-equipped replacement ferries for the Interislander service, along with agreements for associated landside works which will reuse existing infrastructure where possible.
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NewsAlstom to supply Tūhono battery-electric trains to provide better connections in Wellington
NEW ZEALAND: Greater Wellington Regional Council has awarded Alstom a NZ$1·066bn contract to supply and maintain 18 battery-electric multiple-units for the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines as part of the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility programme.
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NewsReport tackles New Zealand rail workforce challenges
NEW ZEALAND: A report has been published setting out recommendations to address the workforce challenges facing the rail sector.
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NewsRebuilt KiwiRail mechanical workshop officially reopened
NEW ZEALAND: The modernised Hillside Workshops site in Dunedin has been formally inaugurated.
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NewsFirst phase of KiwiRail digitalisation programme goes live
NEW ZEALAND: An Alstom Iconis Traffic Management System has gone live on the Wairarapa Line, as the first step in a major digitalisation programme which will eventually see KiwiRail manage its entire network from two control centres in Wellington and Auckland.
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In depthNew Zealand: Revitalising rail at the edge of the world
The historic and complex station at Wellington is being resignalled to permit more frequent services and enhance safety. Infrastructure manager KiwiRail hopes it will pave the way for future upgrades to ETCS.
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NewsKiwiRail locomotives shipped to New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND: Stadler has shipped the first two of the Class DM main line diesel locomotives that its Valencia factory in Spain is building for KiwiRail. In 2021 the national railway awarded Stadler a €228m contract to supply 57 six-axle locomotives for ...
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NewsPractical recommendations to support women in the rail sector
Source: ARTC AUSTRALASIA: The Australasian Railway Association has published a report designed to help the rail industry better understand what hinders the entry, retention and progression of women, with 10 practical recommendations. The Progressing gender equality in the Australasian rail sector: barriers and supportive practices report ...
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NewsAustralasian Railway Association organises study tours for InnoTrans delegates
INNOTRANS: The Australasian Railway Association is organising events around InnoTrans 2024 to provide its members with an ‘outstanding business development opportunity’ where they can promote themselves to the global market, connect with decision-makers and build relationships with potential partners, suppliers and customers. ARA will organise a ...
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NewsAustralasian rail industry study tour to visit London and Paris
INTERNATIONAL: The Australasian Railway Association is organising a study tour to London and Paris the week before InnoTrans, to provide delegates with insights into topics including interoperability, high speed rail, sustainability, infrastructure development and operations, as well as networking opportunities with industry leaders. The London leg ...
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NewsScenic Plus coach refurbished for New Zealand tourist train service
NEW ZEALAND: National railway KiwiRail’s tourist train business Great Journeys New Zealand has unveiled a coach which has been refurbished to provide a premium ‘immersive travel experience’ on the 223 km TranzAlpine coast-to-coast service between Greymouth and Christchurch. ‘The innovative carriage is the icing on the ...
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NewsKiwiRail orders hybrid shunting locomotives
NEW ZEALAND: National operator KiwiRail has awarded Stadler a contract to supply battery-diesel hybrid shunting locomotives as well as additional main line diesel locos. The 24 Bo-Bo hybrid yard shunting locomotives will operate primarily on battery power, reducing the carbon footprint of shunting. They will have ...
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NewsKiwiRail orders track inspection car
NEW ZEALAND: KiwiRail has awarded MerMec a contract to supply a replacement track evaluation car. MerMec said the vehicle would provide ‘exhaustive’ real-time track analysis using 12 inspection and measurement systems including lasers, cameras and others sensors. MerMec CEO Luca Necchi Ghiri said the contract announced ...
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Metro Report InternationalGovernment cancels Auckland Light Rail project
NEW ZEALAND: The government has officially cancelled the Auckland light rail project. Work had been suspended after the National-led coalition came to power last year. On January 14 Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the light rail scheme as ‘wasteful and unfit for purpose’, while Transport Minister ...
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In depthAustralasia: Investment pipeline promises ‘golden age of rail’
Rail has a critical role to play on the path to net zero in Australia and New Zealand, but key issues including a lack of interoperability between networks and jurisdictions need to be urgently addressed.
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NewsChanges follow review of commuter rail disruption
NEW ZEALAND: KiwiRail is taking action to improve track inspection on passenger routes in Wellington and Auckland following the publication of a report into service disruption during May which Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter said provides ’an eye-opening account of poor decision-making’. The report ...
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NewsWellington train operating contract extended
NEW ZEALAND: Greater Wellington Regional Council has extended Transdev’s contract to operate local passenger trains under the Metlink brand until July 3 2031. Transdev has operated the services since 2016, carrying more than 1·3 million passengers/year on 2 000 services/week. It runs 3·22 million train-km/year on ...
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NewsARA plans Australia and New Zealand pavilion at InnoTrans 2024
INNOTRANS: The Australasian Railway Association will once again host a pavilion to showcase the Australian and New Zealand rail industry at InnoTrans 2024. ARA said it anticipates taking a strong delegation to Berlin, building on its success at the 2022 event. The organisation is seeking feedback ...
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NewsAuckland’s City Rail Link seeks more funding as pandemic drives up costs
NEW ZEALAND: Cross-Auckland rail tunnel project promoter City Rail Link Ltd has submitted a formal request for more funding from the government and Auckland Council, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on construction works, the supply chain, resourcing, materials and labour costs. The cost of ...
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NewsKiwiRail wagons shipped
NEW ZEALAND: Indonesian rolling stock manufacturer PT Inka shipped 133 flat wagons destined for KiwiRail on February 27. They are part of an order for 262 wagons which the national freight operator placed with Australian company UGL in January 2021. The 40 ft, 50 ft, and ...