KiwiRail Upgrades: Wairarapa Line

Description

To support Metlink’s Lower North Island Integrated Mobility project, KiwiRail is undertaking a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the Wairarapa Line.

The upgrade includes:

Signalling

Installing a signalling system between Featherston and Masterton, which will require a 43km duct along the entire route to bring power to the signals.

Level crossings

Making safety improvements on most of the Wairarapa Line’s 30 level crossings. The addition of bells, barriers and pedestrian mazes will improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians. Some crossings will be realigned to allow for better sightlines. A small number of crossings will be closed permanently to vehicles.

Passing loops

A new track layout at Woodside will allow trains to pass each other.

Freight

A new freight siding and backshunt (wagon storage) at Waingawa.

Partnerships

Metlink is working with KiwiRail on this project.

Updates

March 2026 - Construction work on the level crossing safety upgrade is reaching its final stages

KiwiRail has completed the major ground and track work at 28 of the 30 level crossings on the Wairarapa Line, with just Brandon Street and Norfolk Road still to be completed.

The focus now shifts to installing the signalling system that will allow the new level crossing safety barriers to go live and become operational from early 2027.

From 2029, the Wairarapa will have new trains travelling at faster speeds and running twice as often. Your new commuter service will use hybrid battery-electric units, replacing the 40-year-old diesel locomotives currently operating on the line.

These new trains will be quieter, more modern, more comfortable, and far more reliable.

You can watch a video about the new trains below.

KiwiRail and Greater Wellington are working together to bring new battery electric trains to the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines from 2029. They will be faster and run on a more frequent timetable, giving commuters more choice, better reliability, and all the mod cons that come with a newly built passenger train. Work to make the line ready for the new trains and increased services is also well underway.

KiwiRail work on level crossings in Featherston kicks off this month, with work happening at Revans Street, followed by Fox street.

In Carterton work kicks off at Belvedere Road and will move to Pembroke Street by end of July. Victoria and Rhodes - the two level crossings closing permanently to traffic - are scheduled to have a short spell of work done mid-June with full closure happening later in the year.

With 16 level crossings complete KiwiRail is a bit over halfway through the level crossing upgrade work for the Wairarapa line.

KiwiRail is engaging with the Featherston community on the question of whether to close Fox St level crossing or Bell St level crossing (either option meets safety requirements).

Over Easter 2024 the project team continued work on the upgrade of the Fitzherbert St level crossing in Featherston, as well as starting civil works at Moffats Road and Matarawa Road level crossings.

Following community feedback on proposed level crossing closures, an independent report has been published recommending five of the 30 Wairarapa level crossings be closed.

KiwiRail made progress on the upgrade of Fitzherbert St level crossing in Featherston. Construction of a new passing loop commenced south of Woodside Station and CSR works (trenching along the line to hold power cables) started in the Woodside area.

KiwiRail has cleared the area opposite Carterton Railway Station and set up a project site compound, which will be used by project teams working on the Wairarapa Line upgrades, and also as a long-term signals maintenance facility.

Benefits

These upgrades will support and enable Metlink’s plans for more peak and off-peak services for the Wairarapa in coming years.

New signals along the line will increase safety for road and rail users, increase the efficiency of train movements and allow more than one train at a time in the Featherston to Masterton section.

Level crossing upgrades will improve safety for vehicles, pedestrians and rail passengers.

Customer Impact

Buses will replace some train services, mostly during weekends and public holidays.

More information

North Island Rail Connection