The big slip that buried the Midland railway line near Otira last week has been cleared and the line repaired to allow trains to resume overnight.
The slip has also been largely cleared off the adjoining State highway 73, which was reopened to single lane traffic on Monday.
A week after the slip was brought down near Deception Point, between Otira and Aickens, the Tranz Alpine passenger train today resumed a full journey to Greymouth. The trains had been running only as far as Arthur's Pass.
Kiwi Rail says it will also be running freight trains between 7.30pm and 7am, a night schedule that will allow work to continue on clearing the slip from the road during daylight hours.
"Our staff and contractors have worked hard, and getting the line open again so quickly after last week's devastating weather bomb is a real credit to them," Kiwi Rail South Island network services manager Jeanine Benson said.
- Greymouth Star
