KIWIRAIL has announced that people and machinery are working on the Northern Division freight rail line to ready it for the temporary return of freight trains later this year.
The line, which runs between Masterton and Pahiatua on NZ’s North Island, will reopen this year between 27 December and 9 February 2025, while the Masterton to Wellington line is closed for major upgrade work.
It has been 10 years since the Northern Division line last saw a freight service, and KiwiRail programme director Andy Lyon says it’s upcoming one-and-a-half month return stint will help keep trucks off the road.
“Instead of sending logs by truck over the Remutaka Hill during summer when there is already lots of traffic on the road, we have made the call to bring the Northern Diversion line into use,” he said.
“Over this summer there’ll be at least one freight service per day on the Northern Diversion shifting the equivalent of 72 truckloads of logs, which means safer roads and less emissions.”
KiwRail says a work crew are currently carrying out maintenance such as clearing vegetation away from the tracks and replacing sleepers where needed and checking all rail bridges along the line.
Mr Lyon says the crew will be giving extra attention to level crossings to make sure they are in suitable working order, are fully visible, and with good signage in place before the first test train comes through in October.
“We’re mindful that people won’t be used to seeing trains passing through their towns. Daily service and travel times will vary based on demand, so it’s really important that people are super vigilant around tracks and crossings.
“We’re looking forward to working with communities to make sure people know what’s happening and there is plenty of information out there about safety around trains and level crossings in particular.”
