KiwiRail Upgrades: Wellington Station Re-signalling

Stations Tracks Signals Structures Technology

Description

This project is a major step towards modernising Wellington’s rail network.
 
Much of the signalling system at Wellington Railway Station dates back to 1937. To allow for future growth and keep pace with current technology, KiwiRail is upgrading it to a digital system.
 
Replacing 90 years of historical assets in New Zealand’s most complex railway junction is a big and delicate job. As well as new signalling infrastructure, the project includes track work, with the installation of 14 new turnouts in the approaches to Wellington Railway Station and a 7.6km duct route for signalling and power cabling.

The signals at Wellington Railway Station are currently controlled from a signal box in the station approaches known as A-Box. It’s the last full-time manned signal box in the country. By January 2025, A-Box will close, and signalling for Wellington’s rail network will be controlled entirely from the Wallaceville train control centre.

Progress Update: Works in progress. 

Updates

Benefits

Due to safety regulations, KiwiRail can’t increase the frequency or number of trains at Wellington Railway Station while we are still using the old signalling system. Upgrading to a digital signalling system will therefore unlock the station’s capacity to support more local and regional train services in the future.

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