Fast, odourless and full of politicians: 'milestone' City Rail Link preview

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and City Rail Link Limited chief executive Patrick Brockie on the CRL preview train. (Image: BusinessDesk)

Oliver Lewis

Fri, 08 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon likened travelling on the first public test train through Auckland's City Rail Link to a warp speed jump from Star Trek.And it did feel fast.From the opening round of applause when it pulled out of Maungawhau station at Mt Eden, the new test train whipped down the 3.45 kilometre tunnel to Britomart/Waitematā in a little over five minutes.When the $5.5 billion City Rail Link (CRL) opens next year, the journey will be closer to 10 minutes, factoring in stops at the new Karanga-a-hape and Te Waihorotiu undergro...

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