Thank you for your query on rail activities on the North Auckland Line (NAL) and Dargaville Branch Line. Our apologies for the slight delay in sending this to you.
In responding to your request we have made the assumption that you want details on freight movements north of the Auckland metro region, and have not included information about the passenger services that run on the metro region. Please let us know if you’d like details on these.
Along the NAL KiwiRail uses diesel locos which are a mixture of DC, DX and DRB classes. With respect to our DL fleet we are halfway through the asbestos removal process. Twenty Gen 1s are now asbestos free and 20 Gen 2s are due to be progressively remediated from April.
We have maintenance crews situated at Helensville, Maungarturoto and Whangarei and these maintain the network so it is fit for purpose. They undertake work on our tracks, formation, signalling and plan vegetation works. We are currently replacing the sleepers along the line North of Swanson.
Products moved on the North Auckland Line include timber products, dairy, food stuffs, house removals, building products and general freight.
The Northland line remains under review.
As you’ll probably be aware we have not run services on the Dargaville Line since a derailment in mid-2014 due to the unsafe condition of the track and structures.
Only one customer had been using the line over the past 10 years. The line is in very poor condition, and considerable investment is needed to keep it operable – that investment would need to be reflected in the rates moving forwards.
Following discussions on the charges required to keep the line operable our only customer has decided to stop using our services.
We are currently in discussions with a third party about possible tourism venture using a section of the line.
We hope this satisfies your request
Under section 28(3) of the Official Information Act 1982, you have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by way of complaint to an Ombudsman. Refer to www.ombudsmen.govt.nz for more information.
Kind regards
Louise
Louise Jago | Communications Co-ordinator
Ph: +64-4-498 3372 (internal extn 43372) | Fax: +64-4-473 1589
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Backbone of integrated transport networks