Rail upgrades

[scooter]

Article in the Dominion-Post about people trying to save Tawa station:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/6766516/Historic-stations-future-in-doubt?

Tell those you want it restored that they'll have to be paying for it and not everyone else as well and that'll change their tune.

I'm assuming you meant to say: "Tell those who want it restored..."

Yes... correct

[Daniel]

I'm certainly not in favour of restoring a structure I don't find particularly attractive.

...but isn't that part of the reason something is restored?

Nope. It's worthwhile restoring attractive things like Dunedin Station or the Auckland Town Hall. If it was a bit crap to begin with, then ...

[john-ston]

I suppose it is everyone's own opinion, but I personally think that if you took away all the stuff plastered on the walls, then the Tawa Station building would look pretty attractive - certainly much better than what passed as station buildings in the post war period.

[eurokiwi78]

Presumably the issue is coming to a head with the phasing out of signal boxes. I wonder if they are going to remotely control the interlocking to train control soon.

If somebody wants to buy it and do it up then run it as a going concern, paying rental to the landowner then they should be able to, failing that I say replace it with a modern shelter. Sell it to a museum if anybody wanted it.

[c46andc47]

If somebody wants to buy it and do it up then run it as a going concern, paying rental to the landowner then they should be able to, failing that I say replace it with a modern shelter. Sell it to a museum if anybody wanted it.

I hope that by "modern shelter" you do not mean Epuni style

It never ceases to amaze me that in the early 1900s (eg Lower Hutt and Petone), in the 1930s (eg Tawa) and in the early 1950s (eg Epuni) travellers were provide with verandahs that provided protection from the elements. In the 21st century passengers are provided with totally useless bus shelters. If anyone doe not believe me try standing on Epuni station in a raging northerly or southerly.

If the Tawa building is too far gone to retain at least (IMHO) the verandahs should be retained. Look at what was achieved at Petone. Although it was disappointing that the 1905 Troup building was demolished the replacement, retaining the original verandahs, is functional and attractive.

Petone also has the advantage that there are no schools nearby and that the ticket office is manned Mon -Fri so vandalism is not a major problem.

The same comment about verandahs applies to Naenae when it is demolished.

[eurokiwi78]

Petone could have been done better, Id like to know why the the signal panel wasnt incorporated into the new building so one person could sell tickets inbetween signalling trains to/from the Melling Branch. Would have been more efficient from a staffing perspective than having two people sit there and do very little. It may also have made extending the hours of Petone box (thus allowing more Melling services) more worthwhile.

If Petone Box was deemed of historical signifigance (which would surprise me somewhat) it could have remained in situ.

[Daniel]

If somebody wants to buy it and do it up then run it as a going concern, paying rental to the landowner then they should be able to, failing that I say replace it with a modern shelter. Sell it to a museum if anybody wanted it.

I hope that by "modern shelter" you do not mean Epuni style

It never ceases to amaze me that in the early 1900s (eg Lower Hutt and Petone), in the 1930s (eg Tawa) and in the early 1950s (eg Epuni) travellers were provide with verandahs that provided protection from the elements. In the 21st century passengers are provided with totally useless bus shelters. If anyone doe not believe me try standing on Epuni station in a raging northerly or southerly.

If the Tawa building is too far gone to retain at least (IMHO) the verandahs should be retained. Look at what was achieved at Petone. Although it was disappointing that the 1905 Troup building was demolished the replacement, retaining the original verandahs, is functional and attractive.

Petone also has the advantage that there are no schools nearby and that the ticket office is manned Mon -Fri so vandalism is not a major problem.

The same comment about verandahs applies to Naenae when it is demolished.

Yes I was very annoyed to learn about the replacement for Epuni station and I can't help feeling that the CBT let it slip under the radar somewhat.
Although they'd previously built crappy replacement stations at Wingate and Heretaunga in the late 20th century. Oh, and not to mention at Wallaceville and Ava.
You shouldn't be surprised though, I think it's typical of what happens when us New Zealanders get to run things.

Keeping the basic structure could be an option which would retain the roof and the verandah's. Rip-out the old and long-disused internal ticket-halls and other administrative rooms that no longer serve any functional purpose and just retain the essential supporting columns and walls, which should provide a nice area for people to shelter from the elements within. And this time use decent and attractive materials unlike the shabby ones they used on the stations at Silverstream and Pomare.
This is of course if it's not going to be much more expensive than simply knocking this old weatherboard shed down and starting again from scratch...

[c46andc47]

Petone could have been done better, Id like to know why the the signal panel wasnt incorporated into the new building so one person could sell tickets inbetween signalling trains to/from the Melling Branch..

If Petone is to be remoted (which is what you are suggesting) then it makes much more sense to transfer control to Train Control rather than to the ticket office. The rebuilding of Petone Station and the closure of Petone Box are therefore unrelated projects.

OTTOMH I cannot remember who owned the railway back when Petone station was rebuilt but I suspect that the company would not have had the capital to close Petone Box. The cost will depend on how it is done, but given the age of the equipment I suspect that complete replacement would be the preferred option. At a guess (and I do not have any specific information on this) that could cost in the region of $1M.

Note that from a purely technical point of view it is not just a matter of moving the existing panel over to the ticket office. Some form of remote control would be required

[keg]

I suppose it is everyone's own opinion, but I personally think that if you took away all the stuff plastered on the walls, then the Tawa Station building would look pretty attractive - certainly much better than what passed as station buildings in the post war period.

Might fall down if you did that, probably all that's holding it up is lots of rot held together by layers and layers of paint etc

Seriously if the commumity want to save it they should come up with the extra money - same deal as Plimmerton.

If Petone is to be remoted (which is what you are suggesting) then it makes much more sense to transfer control to Train Control rather than to the ticket office. The rebuilding of Petone Station and the closure of Petone Box are therefore unrelated projects.

Signalling at Petone is supposed to be completely replaced next year, assume that means transfer to TC.

[keg]

Naenae station works.

From GW:

Remedial work at Naenae Station
Posted on 27 April 2012

Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail are carrying out platform and subway access repairs and a shelter replacement at Naenae Station on the Hutt Valley line to further ensure passengers’ safety and improve access.

Aurecon has been contracted to complete the work, which will take place between Monday 14 May and Sunday 19 August. During this time, Naenae Station will be closed.

The construction work at Naenae Station will include the demolition and reconstruction of the station building, restrengthening the existing platform frontage, reconfiguration of the stairway from the subway to the platform, resurfacing of the platform and new platform lighting.

Tranz Metro Manager Scott Brooks says the repair and replacement work will make a significant improvement to Naenae Station. “This work will mean we can provide commuters with better and safer facilities, while reducing maintenance costs. Hopefully, this project will promote greater pedestrian use of the subway, and also increase the utilisation of the Tranz Metro services.”

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, says he’s pleased the upgrade is about to start. “When the work is finished, people who use Naenae Station should have a lighter, brighter and safer station. Pleasant and safe surroundings are a crucial part of people’s public transport experience.”

While train services will operate as normal along the Hutt Valley Line, they will not stop at Naenae Station. Instead, a shuttle bus will run between Naenae Station and Waterloo Station during peak times every weekday from 6:26am to 8:53am and again from 3:25pm to 5:56pm. A valid Tranz Metro ticket will be required to ride the shuttle but the bus ride itself will be free.

Existing Valley Flyer bus services 130 Naenae and 121 Valley Heights travel between Naenae Station bus replacement stop and other stations. Regular Valley Flyer fares apply on these services

If there are any planned disruptions buses replacing trains will stop at Naenae Station at the bus replacement stops.

[Callum]

Naenae station works.

From GW:

Remedial work at Naenae Station
Posted on 27 April 2012

Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail are carrying out platform and subway access repairs and a shelter replacement at Naenae Station on the Hutt Valley line to further ensure passengers’ safety and improve access.

Aurecon has been contracted to complete the work, which will take place between Monday 14 May and Sunday 19 August. During this time, Naenae Station will be closed.

The construction work at Naenae Station will include the demolition and reconstruction of the station building, restrengthening the existing platform frontage, reconfiguration of the stairway from the subway to the platform, resurfacing of the platform and new platform lighting.

Tranz Metro Manager Scott Brooks says the repair and replacement work will make a significant improvement to Naenae Station. “This work will mean we can provide commuters with better and safer facilities, while reducing maintenance costs. Hopefully, this project will promote greater pedestrian use of the subway, and also increase the utilisation of the Tranz Metro services.”

Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee, says he’s pleased the upgrade is about to start. “When the work is finished, people who use Naenae Station should have a lighter, brighter and safer station. Pleasant and safe surroundings are a crucial part of people’s public transport experience.”

While train services will operate as normal along the Hutt Valley Line, they will not stop at Naenae Station. Instead, a shuttle bus will run between Naenae Station and Waterloo Station during peak times every weekday from 6:26am to 8:53am and again from 3:25pm to 5:56pm. A valid Tranz Metro ticket will be required to ride the shuttle but the bus ride itself will be free.

Existing Valley Flyer bus services 130 Naenae and 121 Valley Heights travel between Naenae Station bus replacement stop and other stations. Regular Valley Flyer fares apply on these services

If there are any planned disruptions buses replacing trains will stop at Naenae Station at the bus replacement stops.

It's about bloody time they started this, Naenae is probably *the* worst station on the whole Hutt Valley line

[eurokiwi78]

It's about bloody time they started this, Naenae is probably *the* worst station on the whole Hutt Valley line

Ava is pretty bad. Smells like a urinal and the taggers have started tagging the platform surface itself, perhaps because the shelter is in such a bad state they dont want there scrawl associated with it.

Still Kaiwharrawharra doesnt even have a shelter and Ngauranga is pretty grotty.

[Callum]

It's about bloody time they started this, Naenae is probably *the* worst station on the whole Hutt Valley line

Ava is pretty bad. Smells like a urinal and the taggers have started tagging the platform surface itself, perhaps because the shelter is in such a bad state they dont want there scrawl associated with it.

Still Kaiwharrawharra doesnt even have a shelter and Ngauranga is pretty grotty.

Naenae's subway is too long and is a pretty scary place to be. Naenae's station building is decripit and leaks water, and the platform surface is so bad that it's basically gravel covered in gum, algae and bird dirt...

For the patronage that Naenae gets, it should never have been left to rot into this state. Then again, that can be said about most of the unrefurbished stations on the network

[eurokiwi78]

Actually Id say the majority of stations in the Wellington region are pretty decrepit, moreso than Auckland really which has a few old dungers but mostly they have been spruced up to at least a pleasant standard.

[pcuser42]

Actually Id say the majority of stations in the Wellington region are pretty decrepit, moreso than Auckland really which has a few old dungers but mostly they have been spruced up to at least a pleasant standard.

I'd have to agree on that. Even Wellington Station is a little "meh" in appearance. Auckland has the good stations, Wellington has the good trains.

[eurokiwi78]

Kaiwharra, Ngauranga, Ava, Woburn, Naenae, Epuni, Taita, Pomare, Manor Park, Silverstream, Heretaunga, Trentham, Wallaceville, Tawa and Linden could all do with a spruce up.

Then you have many others which are fit for purpose but showing there age somewhat.

[c46andc47]

Kaiwharra, Ngauranga, Ava, Woburn, Naenae, Epuni, Taita, Pomare, Manor Park, Silverstream, Heretaunga, Trentham, Wallaceville, Tawa and Linden could all do with a spruce up.

Then you have many others which are fit for purpose but showing there age somewhat.

Epuni has been spruced up. Unfortunately the verandahs were demolished and replaced with not fit for purpose bus shelters.

Someone else commented on Wellington Station. I did not understand the term used but in the context I assume it was negative. I think that Wellington is an attractive station, particularly since the concourse was upgraded.

[pcuser42]

Someone else commented on Wellington Station. I did not understand the term used but in the context I assume it was negative. I think that Wellington is an attractive station, particularly since the concourse was upgraded.

That would be me describing the station as "meh". While it's not a bad looking station, it's pretty basic looking (especially compared to Britomart, though this may be unfair).

[eurokiwi78]

One thing I do like about Wellington station now is the TV screens inside telling you what platform to go to and what time you need to be there by so time spent waiting outside in the howling southerly can be minimized.

[john-ston]

I'd have to agree on that. Even Wellington Station is a little "meh" in appearance. Auckland has the good stations, Wellington has the good trains.

I beg to differ that Wellington Station is a little "meh" in appearance - Wellington Station has the grandeur to be expected of a major city station. Auckland on the other hand has the big let down of a station.