Test Train Completes Journey through Auckland’s City Rail Link Tunnels

A KiwiRail test train has travelled the full length of the City Rail Link (CRL) tunnels for the first time in Auckland, New Zealand.

The 3.45-kilometre journey ran south from Waitematā Station (Britomart), passing through the new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape before reaching Maungawhau Station on the Western/North Auckland Line.

The three-carriage train departed Waitematā Station at 9pm and took two-and-a-half hours to complete its first journey. The train travelled at a deliberately slow pace of around five kilometres per hour to allow technicians to conduct initial underground checks, including tunnel clearance, power supply, and signalling. The train completed five successful trips overnight.

Mayor Wayne Brown said:

This is momentous for Auckland and the City Rail Link programme, which has had its fair share of challenges. It’s good to see progress being made because Auckland deserves a public transport system that will deliver benefits for Aucklanders and visitors alike. I’ve always said I was determined to get the project finished and over the line, and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Approval for the test followed extensive planning and safety checks, culminating last week when the tunnels’ overhead lines were energised to provide power for the trains.

The CRL will convert Waitematā Station from a dead-end terminus into a through station, enhancing connections between central Auckland and the wider rail network.

City Rail Link Ltd’s Chief Executive, Patrick Brockie said:

City Rail Link Ltd was established to deliver NZ’s biggest infrastructure project – one that will be an absolute gamechanger for Auckland. Last night’s test run is a major step in our transition from a construction site into a railway and we now start a comprehensive testing schedule ahead of people riding the train next year.

KiwiRail has confirmed that the first end-to-end journey launched a critical testing phase to ensure seamless integration between CRL and the broader network.

Testing will intensify in the coming weeks, including brake assessments on one of the steepest railway sections in New Zealand, recovery procedures, and hands-on driver training. The dynamic testing phase follows the recent completion of major network upgrades undertaken over the summer.

Beyond train testing, other key tasks include evaluating tunnel ventilation, security, lighting, communications, and staff training.