Brand-new train tracks signed off by KiwiRail just two months ago are already in need of a fix after it was discovered they had been built too narrow for the carriages that use them, meaning months of delays ahead for commuters.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council has confirmed the tracks, covering approximately 16km near South Featherston in Wairarapa, were laid 4mm narrower on average. This is technically within KiwiRail’s normal engineering tolerances.
The problem is causing train services to vibrate and is said to be causing “wear and tear” on the train carriages themselves – forcing speeds to be reduced from 100km/h to 60km/h. It has no impact on the locomotives pulling the trains. The new track was laid and certified by KiwiRail in December.
For Wellington, it’s the warmer weather putting increasing pressure on regional train services, with commuters being warned to accept heat restrictions as the new “reality”.
When a train line’s temperature reaches above 40C, a 40km/h speed restriction is imposed on trains to prevent the track from warping. Data from KiwiRail, released to NZME under the Official Information Act, shows there have already been more Wellington train services delayed due to heat restrictions in 2024, compared to all of last year.
