ONTRACK is giving locals the rare opportunity to explore a section of the Johnsonville railway line that is otherwise restricted to trains.
From 3-7pm on Wednesday 4 February people are welcome to walk the section of line between Crofton Downs Station and the Wadestown crossing loop.
Not only will the 4km return journey give people the chance to experience Ngaio Gorge from a new vantage point, they’ll also get to look up close at the major upgrade work that has been undertaken on the railway line.
The line has been closed to trains since 28 December so all seven tunnels could be lowered and therefore made larger. The three crossing loops have been extended in length and improvements made to platforms at three stations: Crofton Downs, Ngaio, and Awarua St.
Wellington Region Rail Programme Director David Gordon said the tracks are now back in on all seven – lower – tunnels on the Johnsonville Line.
“We’ve had a lot of work to do but it has been progressing really well,” David Gordon said.
“Test trains will start running soon and we’re on schedule for passenger services to start again on 6 February so this walk is the one opportunity where people can access a section of line and explore up close what we’ve been doing.
“At all other times, tracks are for trains so this really is a once in a lifetime chance to ‘walk the line’.”
Ground conditions mean walkers need to be physically fit and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Prams or wheelchairs are not practical and children will need to be supervised.
The improvements to the Johnsonville line mean that when they enter service throughout 2010, modern trains can use the line and will provide commuters with more reliable, comfortable services.
“I’d like to acknowledge the patience and understanding of the people who live near our worksites, the passengers who travel on the trains and the local businesses,” David Gordon said.
The works are part the Wellington Region Rail Programme, a series of improvements to the Wellington railway system that will give commuters more reliable and frequent passenger services. This is a joint initiative between ONTRACK, the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Tranz Metro.