Auckland's Newmarket station/Waitakere line

[somebody]

How come trains on the Waitakere line serve Newmarket?  That would be like Beenleigh line trains serving Buranda.

[colinw]

The Western line used to only have points facing Newmarket, so the reversing move was mandatory.

The junction has now been rebuilt as a triangle, but I believe the Waitakere line will not be routed direct until the electrics start running.

[somebody]

Sounds like the 200+204 serving the 'Gabba.  "Because it's always been done that way!"

[colinw]

Yeah, seems perverse.  Although I am not sure if the Auckland facing leg of that junction has actually been commissioned yet. I could ask someone at work, we're doing the signalling & ERTMS level 1 for it.