KiwiRail’s National Train Control, which controls train movements across most of the country, is moving into new premises in Wallaceville, Upper Hutt on 20 May.
“Our National Train Control team are a vital part of our business, and so we’re pleased to be able to provide a modern and sustainable space for them to carry out their critical function,” says KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy.
“The new site has an excellent resilience profile, with low risk from tsunami, liquefaction, ground shaking and slips.
“The team’s move to Wallaceville is part of a wider investment in modernising train control, which includes a new train control centre being built in Auckland, needed to run the more frequent commuter services that will come when the City Rail Link is completed. We are also replacing Train Control’s 25-year old computer system with a modern system which will provide greater automation, resiliency, and safety across the national rail network.”
The 100-strong train control team are currently based in Wellington Railway Station. In 2021, KiwiRail signed a 25-year lease with developers Willis Bond for office space at the new Blue Mountains Campus in Upper Hutt. KiwiRail’s space in the refurbished Buddle Building takes up 2700 square metres, which includes a 1300 square metre control room.
“We are also looking at options for Wellington metro operator TransDev to co-locate its relevant teams in the building, which will ensure better integration of KiwiRail’s track infrastructure with commuter train operations.”
The Blue Mountains Campus, formerly the AgResearch centre in Wallaceville, is a five-hectare park-style campus with a mix of existing buildings and new commercial buildings.
The campus is the Government’s first official regional hub, with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment set to join KiwiRail in the Buddle building later this year.
“We are delighted to welcome KiwiRail as our first tenant, and they perfectly represent what the campus can deliver – bespoke and highly resilient solutions such as the control centre and attractive office space incorporating green design and views,” says Willis Bond’s Managing Director (Development) David McGuinness.
Funding to lease the Train Control Centre is provided through the Rail Network Investment Programme. Train Control for the Auckland Metro Network is located in Auckland.