The Northern Explorer was forced to turn back on Monday after heavy rain caused a slump beneath the track. Photo:
KiwiRail says the North Island Main Trunk Line has been reopened after a significant slump beneath the track forced the Northern Explorer train service to turn back on Monday morning.
A spokesperson said the damage - which followed "intense rainfall' in the area was discovered on the volcanic plateau between Waimiha and Ōngarue.
They said teams worked for more than eight hours to repair the slump and the track was reopened on Monday night.
"The southbound Northern Explorer was unable to complete its journey and was relocated back to Ōtorohanga Station, where the passengers could safely disembark. Buses were arranged for passengers to complete the remainder of the journey to Wellington," the spokesperson said.
They said the empty Great Journeys New Zealand train would carry onto Wellington overnight and KiwiRail would work with the 159 passengers "around impacts of the disruption".
Two other rail freight services were also delayed by the slump.
Passengers waited nearly three hours before the train was turned back
Passenger Michael Corboy and his wife were on their way to Wellington's World of Wearable Arts when the train ground to a halt.
He said passengers waited nearly three hours before they were told another locomotive had been sourced to return the train to Ōtorohanga.
"We're really pleased we didn't run into it.
"We're hoping that we might get some sort of refund but we'll see. It's been a big day," Corboy said.
Michael Corboy said a relative had driven from Hamilton to pick them up and they would fly from Rotorua to Wellington on Tuesday.
He said he understood buses arranged for passengers were expected to arrive in Wellington at about 1am on Tuesday.
He said the staff aboard his Scenic Plus carriage did well to keep the passengers informed and made food and drinks available as they waited for the track to be re-opened.
"Up until then it was really going well. A bit disappointing but we'll try again in the summer," Corboy said.
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