Derailed locomotive to be righted soon
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Kiwirail staff hope two large cranes will be able to get a derailed locomotive back onto its tracks north of Wellington tonight.
The Wairarapa-bound train was knocked off the track by a slip as it came out of a tunnel at Maymorn, close to Upper Hutt, about 6.15pm on Thursday, impacting 300 passengers.
Solid foundations were being constructed so the two cranes – a 60-tonne rail crane and 200-tonne road crane – could lift the 85-tonne locomotive back onto the track tonight.
Kiwirail spokeswoman Ruth Larsen said today the last of the carriages, which had its front wheels derailed, was righted and cleared from the scene this afternoon.
A track about 50 metres long had to be formed so the cranes could get close to the site. .
“They’re hoping that once the locomotive is free of the site there will be minimal track repair needed before they will be able to reopen the line,” Ms Larsen said.
When the incident happened, passengers were transferred to the train’s rear three carriages and towed back to Upper Hutt before being transferred to buses.
The locomotive will be taken to Lower Hutt to be checked once it is freed.
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Kiwirail aimed to have train services between Wellington and Wairarapa running again before Monday morning