Rail track reopening not known
Weather could delay response to repairs after 11 wagons carrying logs and pulp derail
Work has begun to remove the overturned wagons of a train that derailed east of Te Puke on Sunday morning, but when the line will open is still unknown.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) cleared the scene on Wednesday and work was under way to remove the 11 derailed wagons, said Kiwirail chief operating officer of rail operations Siva Sivapakkiam.
“Yesterday afternoon, TAIC gave us permission to take away 17 wagons, which were still on the rails, from the site.”
Wagons derailed around 5.30am on Sunday on the East Coast Main Trunk (ECMT) line between Te Puke and Te Maunga after heavy rain.
The locomotive and many of the wagons carrying logs and pulp did not derail and the two crew members were not injured during the incident, Sivapakkiam said.
“Before we can fully repair the track, our teams need to remove the derailed wagons and their cargo. To do this, we will today begin making temporary repairs to sections of track that have been washed out by water over the last few days so we can get to the derailed wagons.”
An underground gas line runs through the area, so removing the damaged wagons must be done extremely carefully.
“Once the derailed wagons have been removed, we will be able to make a full track inspection and begin repairs that will allow this section of the East Coast Main Trunk line to reopen.’’
Sivapakkiam said weather has delayed the initial response to the derailment and the incident investigation, and it could still hinder the recovery response.
“At this stage, we are unable to provide a firm timeline for reopening the line.”
Kiwirail and TAIC are undertaking separate investigations into the derailment.
Meanwhile, Kajavala Forestry managing director Jacob Kajavala has been told it could be weeks before the track connecting Kawerau industry to the Port of Tauranga was reopened.
The Kiwirail freight train carries logs and wood pulp, among other goods, from Murupara and Kawerau to the international port.
Kajavala, whose business oversees log movement, said it had been operating from the Kawerau railhead of the East Coast Main Trunk for the past 20 years, and they had never seen anything like the derailment.