Source: Radio New Zealand
Auckland’s Waitematā Station. Dan Satherley / RNZ
A KiwiRail contractor is “mortified” after eight welds which join the rails together tested faulty.
Auckland train services on both the Southern and Western lines have been restored after the faults were found between Waitematā and Newmarket.
The Parnell rail tunnel was closed overnight after deficient track repairs were carried out over Waitangi Weekend.
Auckland Transport said the fault has now been fixed and that all train services are running as normal.
“The track issues found overnight between Waitematā and Newmarket stations has been fixed.
“All trains will operate as normal from the start of services.”
Replacement buses are no longer required.
The Eastern line was also operating to Waitematā as normal.
KiwiRail chief metro officer David Gordon told Morning Report it became clear on Monday some of the welds that join the rails together had tested faulty.
The contractor had found six with faults – and with a further 18 to be tested – the decision was made to close the tunnel overnight, as the work would not be completed in time for the morning services.
But all were able to be tested overnight and with only a further two found faulty, the work could be done.
By “good fortune”, the tunnel could be opened on Tuesday.
But Gordon said eight faulty welds out of 28 was still a “very high proportion” and why it had happened would need to be investigated.
Gordon said the contractor involved was “mortified” and had done all it could to help to fix the issue.
It had also voluntarily said it would not do any further work until the issue was worked through.
Gordon said KiwiRail had used the contractor it would not name for many years and never had this issue before.
Gordon said there was no impact on safety as a result of this issue.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
