1st train arrives in New Zealand's Kaikoura after November quake

Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 09:44:42|Editor: ying
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WELLINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The first work train to reach New Zealand's quake-hit tourist town of Kaikoura on the Main North Line has arrived on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the reconstruction, said New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

The work train, travelling north from Oaro, is the first to reach Kaikoura from the south. Kaikoura, once a popular tourist coastal town famous for whale watching, was struck by a 7.8-magnitude quake last November.

"The train's arrival demonstrates the progress that KiwiRail is making to restore this vital part of New Zealand's freight network," Bridges said in a statement.

"The train, carrying a load of rail and sleepers, will help progress KiwiRail's rebuild and will be used to replace buried and damaged track," he said.

"Opening this connection is a key part of reopening this important line. Being able to get trains to Kaikoura means resources can now be positioned in Kaikoura, allowing work trains to operate in the north, south and middle sections of the Main North Line," Bridges said.

He said that this will allow the pace of the reconstruction to continue and help not only KiwiRail with their important rebuild work, but also assist with the reinstatement of State Highway One by helping to move material for the road reconstruction.

Before the quake struck, KiwiRail was shifting a million tons of freight a year over the line, he said, adding that they are working hard to fully reopen this important freight connection as soon as possible.

KiwiRail is working closely with the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) effort to ensure the reinstatement work is done "safely, quickly and well," Bridges said.

The train that arrived in Kaikoura on Friday had to be pushed through a tunnel and then pulled out from the other end. Damage to the tunnel means further repairs are needed before it can be opened to other locomotives. Once Friday's wagons are unloaded they will be returned to Christchurch and the tunnel will be closed to compete additional repairs, according to the statement.

"The government's priority is to restore the pre-earthquake transport links to Kaikoura and its surrounding communities, and ensure these vital links are resilient for the long term," Bridges said.

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