Auckland’s City Rail Link has shared video footage of trains being tested in the tunnels ahead of the new rail connection opening in 2026.
The first test train travelled the length of the tunnels on February 12, 2025, running south from Waitematā Station (Britomart) under central Auckland past the new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape to Maungawhau Station on the Western/North Auckland Line.
It took two-and-a-half hours to complete the journey, travelling at just five kilometres an hour.
Since then, the speed of the trains has been increased in controlled steps as part of CRL’s comprehensive testing schedule, with the trains recently hitting “line speed” of 70 kilometres an hour.
CRL is also carrying out critical train recovery tests in the tunnels.
The team successfully carried out “push and pull” recovery tests in both directions, with an inoperative train being coupled, pushed, and towed uphill and downhill.
CRL said the most challenging test is moving the train downhill, which is more of a “braking exercise” – a controlled descent requiring considerable precision from the train driver.
These tests took place on the steepest section of the CRL network, between Karanga-a-Hape Station and Maungawhau Station, which is also the steepest section of rail in all of New Zealand.
This ensures that if a train ever breaks down in the tunnels, another train can safely recover it.
In total, CRL is carrying out over 9,000 separate tests to prepare for its opening in 2026.
Besides trains in the tunnels, tests include mechanics, electrics, security, fire, communications and hydraulic systems for the tunnels and stations.
Stacey van der Putten, Auckland Transport Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, said that when the CRL opens, it will better connect Aucklanders to the people and places they want to visit.
“For the first time the rail network is joined up for trains at the heart of our public transport system,” she said. “The test train has made the first direct, easier journey that tens of thousands of people will be making every day. But before that happens, we’ve still got a lot of work to do to make sure journeys on Auckland’s new railway are safe, reliable and seamless from day one.”
