CONNECTING & TESTING THE CITY RAIL LINK
Fact Sheet
With most construction finished, the City Rail Link (CRL) project is moving into the final stage – turning everything on and testing it to make sure it all works safely and correctly. Ensuring the CRL will be safe for passengers and operators is our number one priority. WE HAVE A HUGE RANGE OF SYSTEMS TO TEST
Twelve stages of testing From testing in the factory to testing after a new system has been installed, not everything is tested in the same way, or in every stage, but everything is tested multiple times. Because Auckland Transport and KiwiRail will be the future asset owners of the CRL, we are working together now, so they know that everything works and know how to operate the CRL from the get-go. The earlier issues are found — the easier they are to resolve. That’s why testing started early in our Systems Integration Facility (SIF). The SIF is a simulator designed to pick up on systems issues as soon as possible. Through the SIF we’ve been running escalator tests before they were even installed.
RAIL
Do you test the trains too? Yes. Testing moving trains is called Dynamic Testing. They start slow (5km/hr) and get faster and more frequent over time.
How many tests are there?
All up we have over 6300 tests to run across the twelve stages of testing.
What’s the final test? ELECTRICAL
The last set of tests are called shakedown tests - this is where the entire rail system is operated as if it were completely ready for passengers to travel on the CRL. We have lots to do to get the CRL open in 2026 - see you on the train!
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CRLL0549 fact sheet Preparing for 2026_KK v2.3
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