KEY POINTS:
Rail passenger and freight services have been disrupted between Hamilton and National Park after a train hauling general freight including an LPG tanker derailed early this morning, damaging the line.
Ontrack spokesman Kevin Ramshaw said the derailment caused damage to about 1km of the Main Trunk Line south of Te Kuiti at 2.30am.
The damage could have been greater had the derailment not been picked up by a track-side derailment detector, Mr Ramshaw said.
Fire service staff were called as a precaution but the wagon with the LPG tank remained upright, with no damage to the tank and no gas leaks.
Mr Ramshaw said north and south-bound Overlander passengers would travel by bus between Hamilton and National Park.
A number of freight services would also be delayed, he said.
Ontrack hoped to have the line reopened by this afternoon.
Mr Ramshaw said there were no injuries in the derailment and no freight was damaged.
The cause was being investigated.
- NZPA
