Wairarapa Line

KiwiRail is finishing up the upgrade of the Wairarapa Line to support more frequent and faster services, with the arrival of Greater Wellington’s Tūhono trains from 2029. Work started in 2021 and continues through to 2028.

Our focus during 2026 goes to installing the signalling system that will see the new level crossing safety barriers live and operational from early 2027.

From 2029 the Wairarapa will have new trains travelling at faster speeds, twice as often. Your new commuter service will be hybrid battery electric powered units rather than the 40 year old loco diesels you see working the line today. They will be quiet, modern, more comfortable, and a lot more reliable.

Level crossings

Following an independent report, KiwiRail has upgraded 26, and closed four crossings along the stretch of network between Featherston and Masterton. We have completed all the upgrade work, with just Brandon Street in Featherston to go.