More than 2000 people - and dogs - took the rare opportunity to walk a section of the Johnsonville Line before it re-opened to trains on 6 February.
KiwiRail Group’s infrastructure manager, ONTRACK, was inundated with calls from dog-owners in particular who relished the chance to let their pets onto an otherwise off limits part of Ngaio Gorge.
Wellington Region Rail Programme Director David Gordon said he was pleased with the level of interest from locals in the line.
“Despite the rain we got an excellent turnout from people wanting to take this once in a lifetime chance to walk the line. We were surprised by the number of people who turned up yesterday – and the number of dogs!” David Gordon said.
“They were really interested in seeing up close the work we’ve been doing and were very appreciative of the scale of what has been achieved – that means a lot to the guys who have worked so hard this summer to get it all done in time.
“From now on, ‘tracks are for trains’ only so I’m pleased so many people grabbed the opportunity to walk the line when they had the chance.”
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.
The improvements to the Johnsonville line mean that when they enter service in 2010, the new Matangi trains can use the line and will provide commuters with more reliable, comfortable services.
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.