Papakura railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Papakura
Auckland Transport Urban rail
Overview of the station before electrification
Location	Railway Street West, Papakura, Auckland
Coordinates	37°03′51″S 174°56′46″E / 37.0642°S 174.9461°E / -37.0642; 174.9461
Elevation	19 m (62 ft)
Owned by	KiwiRail (track and platforms) Auckland Transport (buildings)
Line(s)	Southern Line Te Huia Northern Explorer
Distance	Wellington 646.92 km (401.98 mi)
Platforms	Island platform (P1 & P2), side platform (P3), bay platform (P4)
Tracks	Main line (3) Passing loop (1) Backshunt (1, south-east) Bay platform (1)
Construction
Platform levels	1
Parking	Yes
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Other information
Website	Auckland Transport
History
Opened	20 May 1875
Rebuilt	2007, 2012–2013
Electrified	25 kV AC
Traffic
Passengers (2011)	3,854 passengers/weekday
Services
Preceding station   MAXX (Veolia)   Following station Takanini toward Britomart Southern Line Terminus Terminus Southern Line (Pukekohe Shuttle) Pukekohe Terminus KiwiRail Terminus Te Huia Huntly toward Hamilton (Frankton) The Great Journeys of New Zealand Auckland Strand Terminus Northern Explorer Hamilton toward Wellington Preceding station   Historical railways   Following station Tironui Line open, station closed 1.93 km (1.20 mi)   North Island Main Trunk KiwiRail   Ōpaheke Line open, station closed 4.12 km (2.56 mi)

The Papakura railway station is an important train station in Papakura, New Zealand. It is part of the Southern Line on the Auckland railway network. This station helps many people travel around Auckland and beyond.

History of Papakura Station

Early Days and Growth

The Papakura station first opened on 20 May 1875. It was part of the new railway line connecting Auckland to Mercer. Trains started running to Papakura from Penrose in October 1874. Back then, only two trains a day served Papakura. By 1879, this increased to three trains daily.

In 1913, Papakura became the main stop for local trains. Over the years, many different trains used the station. These included long-distance services like The Overlander and Northern Explorer. The station also played a role during World War II, helping transport soldiers to and from the nearby Military Camp.

Station Buildings and Features

In 1884, Papakura station had a simple building, a platform, and a shed for goods. It also had a special track called a passing loop where trains could wait for others to pass. The station was moved in 1885 to a different spot on the line. Over time, more features were added, like a roof over the platform and a shed for engines.

A big upgrade happened in 1921. A new train yard was built, along with a new platform in the middle of the tracks. A large spinning platform called a turntable was also added to turn engines around. In 1926, electric lights replaced old oil lamps. More improvements were made in 1938, including a new ticket office and a larger platform for local trains. The station building was rebuilt again in 1983.

Track Duplication

To make train travel faster and easier, the tracks around Papakura were doubled. The section between Papatoetoe and Papakura got a second track in 1931. The tracks between Papakura and Paerata were doubled by 1939. This helped more trains run at the same time.

Station Upgrades and Modernisation

Recent Improvements

Before 2012, Papakura station had an island platform (a platform with tracks on both sides) and a side platform. A footbridge made of old railway parts connected them.

In 2007, the station got a big upgrade. The island platform was made longer, and new shelters were added. The old footbridge was removed and replaced with a new concrete bridge that has lifts for passengers. This upgrade cost about NZ$4.9 million. It helped the station handle longer trains and more passengers. About 3,000 people used the station every day in 2007.

Electrification Project

Between 2012 and 2013, the station had another major upgrade as part of the Auckland Electrification Project. This project brought electric trains to Auckland. The old signal system, which was over 80 years old, was completely replaced.

The original station building was moved to the western platform (Platform 3) in 2012. It was cleaned up and now has the old signal panel on display. It also has a ticket office, public toilets, and a space for a coffee shop.

The main train tracks were moved slightly east. Now, Platforms 1 and 2 are next to the main line going to Auckland. These platforms usually serve electric trains from Britomart to Pukekohe. Platform 3 was also made longer. A new bay platform (Platform 4) was added at the southern end for diesel shuttle trains going to Pukekohe.

Bus stops are now right outside the ticket office. This makes it easy for people to switch between trains and buses.

Train and Bus Services

Train Services

Papakura station is the end stop for local electric passenger trains on the Southern Line. These trains run frequently. There is also a special diesel train service that runs hourly between Papakura and Pukekohe. This is because the tracks south of Papakura are not yet electrified.

The station is also a stop for long-distance trains. The Northern Explorer service, which travels between Auckland and Wellington, stops here. Papakura is also the starting point for the Te Huia service, which connects to Hamilton.

Auckland Transport is planning to extend the electric train services further south to Pukekohe. This will make train travel even more convenient for people in the area.

Bus Services

Papakura station is a hub for many local bus routes. These buses connect the station to different parts of Papakura and nearby areas. Some of the bus routes serving Papakura include 33, 365, 371, 372, 373, 376, 377, 378, and 395.

Images for kids

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  An ADK unit operated by Veolia for MAXX at Papakura

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  The station in 2009, before its 2012 upgrade