Waltham will become the main South Island locomotive, passenger carriage and wagon maintenance facility. With 47 new low-emission locomotives due to join the South Island fleet from 2024, this purpose-built mechanical hub will support the future resilience and efficiency of their operations.

The hub will bring together KiwiRail staff from existing sites in Addington, Middleton, and Waltham into a single, modern facility.

The 9,400 square metre building will house 25 maintenance berths, an underfloor wheel lathe and other specialist rail maintenance equipment such as a wheelset drop table and locomotive axle weigh systems. Thirty two office-based staff will move into the hub to support the maintenance activity.

Funding for the Waltham Mechanical Hub comes from the Government’s Crown Infrastructure Partners Shovel-Ready Fund and recent Budgets.

Monkeytoe provided a safe and compliant access solution with a Stair System installed. The roof edging includes roof mounted handrails, and a caged ladder.