History

The History of Rail Closures in New Zealand

In 1925 the Nelson Progress League campaigned for a resumption of work to on the Nelson Railway to 'Fill The ( remaining 70 kilometre) Gap' that would have completed the Nelson Railway's connection to the Main Trunk line at the Inangahua Junction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Section

A short interview from Radio New Zealand National on Monday the 21st of March 2011

Nelson's Unfinished Railway

A new exhibition has just opened at Founders Heritage Park in Nelson tracing the history of the unfinished railway line from Nelson to Invercargill. (duration: 9′29″)

Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3

The end came on 26 April 1954 when Minister of Railways, William Goosman, announced that all operations on the Nelson Section were to be "suspended shortly". The losses of £25,000 per year were no longer sustainable, and the minister promised that the money saved would be used to improve the regions roads.

The government announced on 3 June 1954 that the railway would close on 13 June. In response, the Nelson Progress League organised a protest rally for 5 June to be held at the Church Steps. That day, a special train was run to Glenhope and return to collect protesters intent on joining the rally in Nelson. In all, a crowd of 5,000 gathered to prevail upon the government to grant the railway a reprieve. Resolutions were passed calling on the government to honour its promise from 1949 to connect the railway to the West Coast.

For more , go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Section#Demise

and : http://www.theprow.org.nz/the-nelson-railway/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/main-trunk-line/north-island-main-trunk-line