Message #130950

[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Rail line left hanging after slips

By MARTY SHARPE - The Gisborne Herald | 7:26AM - Wednesday, 28 March 2012


ON THE RAILS: Track damage in the Wharerata ranges.

MAJOR STORM DAMAGE to the Gisborne-Napier railway line could spell the end of the little-used track, which was already facing an uncertain future.

A storm early last week caused three big washouts — one of which measured about 100 metres and another about 40m — along a three-kilometre stretch of the line between Gisborne and Wairoa.

KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said the section of track through the Wharerata Range just south of Beach loop was hardest hit, and staff were now "assessing reinstatement options".

"Parts of the line are so difficult to reach that it wasn't until Friday that our teams were able to access it and see just what damage had occurred."

It would take some time to complete the necessary evaluation of options for the track, he said.

"At this stage we are continuing to focus on gathering the facts which will form the basis for a decision to be made on how best to proceed."

"However, from what can plainly be seen, the damage is extensive and any repairs would take considerable time to complete."


ON THE RAILS: Track damage in the Wharerata ranges.

The future of the line has been in question for some time. KiwiRail said last year that it would make a decision on its future later this year, with mothballing or closure possible options.

Mr Quinn said he did not know how long the line would be out of action and he would not comment on whether the damage would have any bearing on its future.

The line usually has one or two train services a week. This was increased to three a week in January.

The line runs at a loss of about $2.4 million a year, but hopes were raised late last year when Gisborne transport company Weatherall Transport became KiwiRail's "retail provider" and put additional business on rail.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6645729/Rail-line-left-hanging-after-slips