The derailment at Britomart was relatively minor, but its tunnel location makes for a complex, difficult fix.
The train that derailed in Auckland this morning. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Auckland's train commuters should expect a full day of disruption as work continues to clear a derailed train from the city's largest train station.
The first three carriages of a train carrying 33 people came off the tracks yesterday morning. The cause of the derailment remains unknown.
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Last night specifically trained crews managed to get half the train back onto the track.
The workers can only carry out the task when power is off at the station due to the high voltage running through the tunnel.
KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said he expected the other half of the train will be put back in place tonight.
"It's incredibly complex. The team have to jack the train up and try and jack it and pull it sideways to get it back on the track," he said.
Mr Moyle said specifically trained specialists are working on the issue, but it's tunnel location has made the rather minor derailment an "extremely difficult" fix because they can't get cranes in to help.
He said the train is lifted with jacks and a big bar goes underneath. The train is then lowered onto rollers and other jacks move it sideways.
"It sounds simple, but in practice it's very difficult," he said.
There is no significant damage to the train and Mr Moyle said there's only one more set of wheels to put back on.
"That's the task for us tonight," he said.
