Matangi News: A Regular Update On Wellington's New Trains

Welcome to the first issue of Matangi News, a regular bulletin of information on the arrival and commissioning of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s new trains. The new trains will be operated and maintained by KiwiRail.

There’s a lot of interest in the arrival of the new trains – they are a much welcomed and anticipated improvement to the region’s rail network.

This update keeps you in touch with recent testing, what tests will take place over the next week or two, and progress on the delivery of the new trains.

Over the last week…
• The second new train arrived in Wellington early last Sunday (26 September). It is now at the Thorndon depot, about to begin a programme of static (electrical) testing, mainline testing and support staff training in the coming weeks.

• A software configuration issue caused an electrical problem on a test run on the Upper Hutt Line on 17 September. The problem is being investigated and we’re confident it will be resolved soon. In the meantime testing has continued.

• To date most issues uncovered by the testing have been resolved by making changes to the software as the train’s various systems are fine-tuned to suit the conditions of the Wellington network.

• The first Matangi train was given a day off testing recently to be the star attraction at the Conference of Railway Engineering (CORE 2010). This was the first time the conference has been held in NZ and we were very pleased that the Matangi was able to be put on display. We were also pleased that even Australian engineers were impressed with the range of features and the quality of the finish.

• The final inspection regime on the second train (conducted in South Korea) was a smoother process, with less final work to do before shipping than with the first train. This is expected to improve further with subsequent trains.

• The first train has run to all stations between Wellington and Melling, Upper Hutt and Porirua. There were no obstructions with platforms and structures at any of the stations.

• The first train is currently being tested for propulsion and braking to 90 kph.

Coming up in the next week or two…
• On board systems, such as CCTV and passenger information displays, will be tested.

• Testing of clearances against station platforms and structures will be carried out on the Johnsonville and North Island Main Trunk Line (from Paremata to Paraparaumu).

• The new trains will move into the new part of the rail depot building at Thorndon.

• Training will begin for onboard and maintenance staff.

Delivery & production progress…
• The next new trains are due to arrive in Wellington at the end of October.

• Seventy cars are currently in production.

Background information…
The Matangi (a Maori word meaning ‘breeze’ or ‘wind’) is a fleet of 48 two-car electric trains being built in Korea for Greater Wellington Regional Council.

The trains need to be put through a rigorous testing programme on the entire rail network before they begin service. Engineers and other experts from Hyundai Rotem Mitsui, the manufacturers of the Matangi, KiwiRail and key sub suppliers are in Wellington to commission, troubleshoot and fine tune the trains many systems to suit the Wellington network.

The first Matangi train is expected to be taking passengers on the Upper Hutt Line in December this year. The new trains will run on the Johnsonville Line in April / May 2011 and the Waikanae Line in July 2011.

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