OIA2024 - 154
Jonathan Gilbert
Via email
- [FYI request #28342 email]
Dear Mr Gilbert
I refer to your request under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act), on 10 September 2024,
asking:
Can you please provide a copy of all available primary documents outlining the standards of railway
corridor track construction (such as gauge, gauge tolerances, etc), both currently and historical y
used by Kiwirail and preceding New Zealand railway organisations (e.g. New Zealand Railways)?
Please note we have interpreted your request to refer to design standards for track (rail, ballast and
sleeper) and civil (formation and drainage) construction and renewal.
We have considered your request and have found the following information covered by your
request. The following documents are the active track and civil standards currently used by KiwiRail.
Please find copies of these document attached.
Document 1: T-ST-DE-5200 Track Standard Track Design, dated 31/12/2022
Document 2: C-ST-FO-4110 Civil Standard Formation, dated 31/03/2019
Document 3: C-ST-CD-4102 Civil Standard Corridor Drainage, dated 30/06/2016
Document 4: T-ST-AM-5120 Track Standard Track Geometry, dated 29/03/2024
Document 5: T-ST-MM-5709 Track Standard Use of Track Materials, dated 31/12/2022
Document 6: NRSS 6 Engineering Interoperability Standards Issue 4, dated 19/04/2013
Note, this document is already publicly available here:
https:/ www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/NRSS/1b95a142d4/NRSS-6-Engineering-
Interoperability-Standards-Issue-4-Effective-Date-19-04-2013.pdf
Document 7: T-ST-AM-5400 T200 Network Engineering Track Handbook Issue 7, dated 30/09/2002
The following two documents are now archived but are referenced material in the documents above.
Document 8: T003 Track Code Issue 4, dated 7 October 2013
Document 9: T100 Track Code Supplements, dated 20 December 2015
We are declining your request for historical track standards under Section 18(f), 18A, 15 – Substantial
col ation or research. If there is specific information you are seeking, please let me know.
For context, changes are made to track standards and civil standards when a new risk is identified, to
make standards clearer or if new technology is introduced. General y speaking, track and civil standards
tend to go through minor changes. Once a standard is revised the previous issue is archived and the
www.kiwirail.co.nz | 0800 801 070
Wel ington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wel ington 6011
Private Bag 39988, Lower Hutt 5045, New Zealand
active standard is uploaded to our document management system. This ensures all staff, contractors and
consultants are accessing the current and approved standard.
There has been some public discussion concerning the condition of renewed track on the Wairarapa
Line. An independent investigation found the track was constructed correctly and is within tolerance.
A copy of the report is available here:
https:/ www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/Wairarapa-Rough-Ride-and-Vibration-
Review.pdf
This decision has been made under the OIA. You have the right to seek an investigation and review
of this response by the Ombudsman, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details
can be found on the Ombudsman’s website:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Yours sincerely
Laura Ratuva
Senior Communications Advisor, KiwiRail
www.kiwirail.co.nz | 0800 801 070
Wel ington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wel ington 6011
Private Bag 39988, Lower Hutt 5045, New Zealand
