A NEW seven-carriage train will run the Wairarapa Line from Monday when three more train carriages join the four carriages introduced last month. The full-length train, with the three latest carriages subject to the successful completion of all pre-service testing, will operate some peak-hour services, including the 6.30am service from Masterton,returning to Wairarapa at 4.33pm from Wellington, Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman Matt Radley said. Another 11 carriages will be introduced in stages by the end of this year, he said, and will make up a total of three new trains. The carriages are the first in a new $25m fleet of 18 carriages for the Wairarapa Line, with the trains boasting refreshment facilities a tea and coffee machine and a snack-vending machine as well as a water dispenser. The modern carriages will also have several other new features including air-conditioning, better lighting, baby-changing facilities, easy-to-open doors and more relaxing decor, Mr Radley said. Other improvements at some Wairarapa stations will see some platforms lengthened and in some cases adjusted for height, he said. There will also be more parking spaces and new station lighting and security, he said, including closed circuit television cameras at some stations. Matarawa Station, near Greytown, was opened last week, he said, and Renall Street station is closed for upgrades until early next month. "Platform work will take place at other Wairarapa stations until the end of August. Disruptions will be kept to a minimum and the council apologises for any inconvenience the platform work causes. "The improvements will help ensure a better train experience is on its way, Mr Radley said. A specially chartered service from Masterton made a run to Wellington on May 14, officially marking the arrival of the first new carriages on the Wairarapa Line in 60 years.
