The story of the Line North through Kaukapakapa and the Makarau Tunnel
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The KiwiRail crew who worked on the tunnel upgrade
nearly 125 years later (Photo courtesy KiwiRail) |
2020 has been the year of the rail upgrade north from Auckland to Whangarei. Major works including relaying lines, strengthening bridges and restructuring tunnels has been finished (January 2021). The line runs through the centre of Kaukapakapa and has been important in the settlement's creation and development. The Makarau tunnel, a few kms north of the village centre, was a major engineering achievement, after many years' work it eventually opened in 1897. Although the track, tunnels and bridges are completed and the first freight train came through on Monday 12 January 2021, work continues to finish the track corridor.
A train exiting the tunnel in 2010 during the 150th Anniversary celebrating the European Settlement of Kaukapakapa |
And in January 2021 one of the first northbound freight trains exiting the reconstructed tunnel
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The following images portray the Karakia (7 July 2020), the tunnel in preparation for enlargement and track laying. A few of the original sleepers have been moved to the Helensville Museum. They are currently being deep-freeze disinfected .
The line between Helensville and Kaukapakapa has been substantially upgraded with the replacement of track and bridges.
Please click on images to enlarge and see any captions.
(All images please credit to Colin Lunt unless otherwise shown)
The following images portray the Karakia (7 July 2020), the tunnel in preparation for enlargement and track laying. A few of the original sleepers have been moved to the Helensville Museum. They are currently being deep-freeze disinfected .
The line between Helensville and Kaukapakapa has been substantially upgraded with the replacement of track and bridges.
Please click on images to enlarge and see any captions.
(All images please credit to Colin Lunt unless otherwise shown)
