For the first time since New Zealand was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in November last year, a freight train has run south from the Blenheim Freight Hub, Kiwirail has said.
The first freight train to leave the Blenheim Freight Hub heading south successfully completed its journey to Lake Grassmere on the morning of January 16.
Freight from Dominion Saltworks at Lake Grassmere was then carried on the first stage of its journey to the North Island, arriving in Blenheim just after noon.
Kiwirail chief executive offcer Peter Reidy said the freight move opened the way for commercial goods to run again on that section of the Main North Line after it was closed after the November earthquake.
Reidy said the event was a significant step forward for the restoration of the full Main North Line.
“Our crews have worked tirelessly throughout the holiday period from both Picton south and Christchurch north to get New Zealand moving again,” he said.
“Today’s successful run is a real credit to our people who are working to restore rail in the South Island for our customers.”
Reidy said there were more than 50 medium scale faults along the section of the track and a lot of twisted and broken rail to fix.
“There are much bigger issues to tackle further south where the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery alliance, which includes NZTA, will join forces to fix the coastal route,” he explained.
“KiwiRail worked quickly after November’s quake to set up coastal shipping services for our customers and additional rail services from our inland hubs to ports at Tauranga and Auckland.
“But for many of our freight customers, it is crucial that we get the ‘just in time’ services running again in the South Island as quickly as possible.”
Reidy said there is still considerable danger to Kiwirail crews due to ongoing seismic activity, but said “we are using the latest technology, and the considerable skills of our workforce, to complete restoration work as quickly and safely as possible”.