Hamilton Central Station (underground) CBD

[Jonthekiwi]

Couldn't agree more. I hope the Nats order the electrics for Auckland this year!!! : )

[Rail-it]

Couldn't agree more. I hope the Nats order the electrics for Auckland this year!!! : )

Well it's not looking very prosperous is it? Where's the announcement that they have approved a builder?

One gets the impression of 2nd hand electric locos or power cars coming in to haul the SA cars....

[geoff_184]

We all know the NIMT EP was a think big project .. the question was, to clarify your statement, when were the EF's ordered? By the Labour Govt of 1984 or National one?

National. They budgeted $40m for their purchase, in 1984. They also let the contract that year.

DX phase 2 were ordered by whom for their 1975 and 1976 delivery? The Labour Govt or National Govt?

As I wrote in my previous post, Labour.

[john-ston]

Which party was in Govt to kill off the regional passenger rail services in 1967?

Agreed that it was National, although in the first instance, there were mechanical problems with the Fiats at the time, and in the second instance, there was a financial crisis at the time. It would be noted that National bought the Silver Star carriages and the Silver Ferns and had a proposal for additional railcars to come to New Zealand in 1972 (they lost the election, hence the reason why it never went ahead).

Personally, I think it is how much the Nats receive in financial contributions which drives his motivation.

I don't think it is that - if money really could buy policy, then business would have donated a huge amount of money to Labour in order to convince them to give tax cuts.

[tebags]

Anyway....Back on topic. From those of you who have been to the tunnel, would there be enough room in there for electrification in the future?
Obviously it is most likely decades away but I am curious of how easy/hard it would be to future-proof the tunnel for electric rail.

[Jonthekiwi]

Yes, there is ample room for electrification in there.

[Nick R]

Any room for a second track and twin or island platforms? Is there a bypass track at all, or would a train stopped there block the main?

Just wondering about the logistics of terminating a passenger train that might sit there for a half hour or more before it starts the return run.

[greenwelly]

Any room for a second track and twin or island platforms? Is there a bypass track at all, or would a train stopped there block the main?

Does look like it, its single track, and any long dwelling would block the east coast main trunk
schematic courtesy of vote trains
http://www.votetrains.org.nz/images/Scan4437.pdf

[RockWagon]

Despite all the theorys,ideas and good intentions,future potential of using the old underground 'Hamilton Central' station simply does not exist. Prior to the demolition of the old transport center and the construction of The Warehouse there may have been merit in utilising the existing station. I remember as a kid going down into the station many times. It is cramped,confined,run-down,currently inaccesible and any passenger train would completely block the E.C.M.T. If in addition for any reason the service ever had to be loco hauled then the entire consist would have to reverse the entire way from the E.C.M.T/ N.I.M.T junction! In the event that AKL-Hamilton passenger services are ever considered financially viable enough to run then the best that Hamilton can hope for is to either refurbish or update the existing Frankton Station and/or build a new 'park and ride' facility north of Te Rapa Yard, near The Base shopping complex.

[PBYCatalina]

Despite all the theorys,ideas and good intentions,future potential of using the old underground 'Hamilton Central' station simply does not exist. Prior to the demolition of the old transport center and the construction of The Warehouse there may have been merit in utilising the existing station. I remember as a kid going down into the station many times. It is cramped,confined,run-down,currently inaccesible and any passenger train would completely block the E.C.M.T. If in addition for any reason the service ever had to be loco hauled then the entire consist would have to reverse the entire way from the E.C.M.T/ N.I.M.T junction! In the event that AKL-Hamilton passenger services are ever considered financially viable enough to run then the best that Hamilton can hope for is to either refurbish or update the existing Frankton Station and/or build a new 'park and ride' facility north of Te Rapa Yard, near The Base shopping complex.

Future potential is exactly what does exisit, I do conceed that current potential is limited.

Yes it is a narrow platform and run down, obviously would need work there to imporve.
Yes it is currently inaccesibale, again obviusly work would need to be undertaken and Im assuming a new entry, perhaps with ticketing etc at ground level.
Yes it is single track blocking the ECMT, so scheduling would have to occur to allow passing opportunities, but scheduling is a given.
Yes locos would have to back up to frankton Junction. I admit thats not a good look, but I dont think Locos would be the ideal type of unit for a service here. Ideally a DMU like the silver fern or the VlOcity sets in victoria would be used.

A park and ride in te Rapa would probably be a great idea but I dont see why the hamilton Central underground station has no future potential.

[Rail-it]

Future potential is exactly what does exisit, I do conceed that current potential is limited.

Yes locos would have to back up to frankton Junction. I admit thats not a good look, but I dont think Locos would be the ideal type of unit for a service here. Ideally a DMU like the silver fern or the VlOcity sets in victoria would be used.

A park and ride in te Rapa would probably be a great idea but I dont see why the hamilton Central underground station has no future potential.

SA trains don't have to back up(of course neither does railcar)! It would be just, in and out with an SA set, all over and done with in 15-20 mins.

[Kalelovil]

Future potential is exactly what does exisit, I do conceed that current potential is limited.

Yes locos would have to back up to frankton Junction. I admit thats not a good look, but I dont think Locos would be the ideal type of unit for a service here. Ideally a DMU like the silver fern or the VlOcity sets in victoria would be used.

A park and ride in te Rapa would probably be a great idea but I dont see why the hamilton Central underground station has no future potential.

SA trains don't have to back up(of course neither does railcar)! It would be just, in and out with an SA set, all over and done with in 15-20 mins.

What length is the platform?

[RockWagon]

yes i understand the logistical possibilities of using DMU's. if access via stairs was constructed,from the area of the current Hamilton transport center then access would still be on the wrong side of the E.C.M.T (the platform is on the southern side). Anybody familier with this area will know the vast size of The Warehouse and how any access would more or less have to be from directly under said building.The future definatly rests in the 'park n ride' concept. perhaps one at The Base servicing the northern sector and one between Grey St and Peachgrove Road in the area previously occupied by Claudelands rail yard. This would handle the eastern side of things. Frankton station is inconvenient for anything barr The Overlander although the fact the E.C.M.T loop has a platform at this junction could be utilised as a stop on request station if the Claudelands site was used. Potential stops being Claudelands, Frankton, The Base and so on to Pukekohe or Papakura to connect with the Maxx services. and lets not even bring up the idea of using the Hautapu Industrial Siding for passenger services,its an impossibility.

[PBYCatalina]

I do like the idea of some park and rides for the eventual Waikato connection train, but you have to have the CBD station in operation too. That would be a major draw card being able to get out in the CBD and walk to your city destination. If the connection starts up you cant miss out on the possibility. A new entrance could probably be constructed by Burger King or through the Warehouse underground car park. Definately possible I don't think you should write it off.

[geoff_184]

The underground station is 260m from the main street, but so is the public car park on the east side of the river. It would be easier to build a platform there, in the open, and no less convenient for getting to the main street. Commuters already park there and walk into the CBD, which is no different to arriving by train.

[RockWagon]

i agree with Geoff, very valid point. That paticular carpark is well used,with access from River Road. For memory the line here is on a steep gradient heading up from the bridge,could be interesting.

[royce]

The underground station is 260m from the main street, but so is the public car park on the east side of the river. It would be easier to build a platform there, in the open, and no less convenient for getting to the main street. Commuters already park there and walk into the CBD, which is no different to arriving by train.

Good idea Geof would there be room for a short crossing loop so that the Metroport trains can roll through while our passenger train is loading or dicharging the livestock.

and lets not even bring up the idea of using the Hautapu Industrial Siding for passenger services,its an impossibility.

So whats is impossible about it dont mention it if you dont want to discuss it.

[Rail-it]

The underground station is 260m from the main street, but so is the public car park on the east side of the river. It would be easier to build a platform there, in the open, and no less convenient for getting to the main street. Commuters already park there and walk into the CBD, which is no different to arriving by train.

Good idea Geof would there be room for a short crossing loop so that the Metroport trains can roll through while our passenger train is loading or dicharging the livestock.

and lets not even bring up the idea of using the Hautapu Industrial Siding for passenger services,its an impossibility.

So whats is impossible about it dont mention it if you dont want to discuss it.

That's what I thought about Hautapu as well. Why not.
In regards to a xing, Isn't there a loop at the beginning of the Hautapu branch?

[RockWagon]

i mentioned the Hautapu Siding because i had a look back thru the thread and noticed that it had been brought up before and discussed for its passenger potential...
And the reasons it has limited future scope is because of Cambridge's close proximity to Hamilton and also a potential station would have to be located on or near Fonterra land with its inherent limitations. Yes there is a crossing loop at Ruakura Junction from which the Hautapu line disects.Although Ruakura Junction is perhaps 7 km out from the CBD

[Rail-it]

Ruakura Junction is perhaps 7 km out from the CBD

Yes, that is correct. Perfect spot for a park n ride facility, like Mercer.