Masterton to Pahiatua line stays open

HISTORIC ROUTE: KiwiRail says it will be maintaining the line between Masterton and Pahiatua, although regular services have ceased. PHOTO/FILE

KiwiRail says it is committed to maintaining the line between Masterton and Pahiatua, despite canning its only regular freight service from Wellington to Palmerston North.

The weekly freight service, which was KiwiRail's last regular service beyond Masterton on the Wairarapa line, stopped running in February following a service review.

A spokeswoman from Kiwirail said while trains will now run only as required between Masterton and Pahiatua, KiwiRail would continue to maintain the line.

The line would still be inspected to ensure freight and heritage services could safely operate on the line, she said.

Inspections would occur at least once every month and would include inspecting the quality of the rail and sleepers, and clearing any vegetation as required.

President of the Pahiatua Railcar Society Don Selby said several railcar groups still used the line and he believed it would remain open in the future.

"For the moment there's no suggestion that it's going to close. There are several reasons for it to remain open, as there is reasonably frequent use.

"I believe they will maintain it. The heritage groups will probably use it up to a dozen times a year."

The society, which recently won a Certificate of Merit from the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand for its work on the Eketahuna station, runs six or seven trips a year, ranging from Matarawa to Napier.

He was disappointed KiwiRail had stopped the regular freight service, which now travelled via Manawatu, he said.

"I think it's the wrong decision ... I'm disappointed that they stopped running the train."

Mr Selby hoped to see the line used more often in the future, especially as Kiwirail continued to promote rail as an alternative to road freight.

"I'd like to see it used on a daily basis, but that's not up to me at the end of the day."

The Paekakariki-based rail group, Steam Incorporated, brings about 800 tourists a year to Wairarapa and business manager John Bovis said he was pleased KiwiRail had committed to maintaining the line.

"It's essential to us - about a quarter of our business uses it."