Freight train stranded by North Canterbury Earthwork

[Mayner]

A southbound freight on the Main Line North MLN) ended up stranded between two slips when the quake struck just after Midnight on 13th amazingly no one was injured and the train appears to be undamaged.

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86698393/kiwirail-waiting-to-recover-goods-from-train-in-no-mans-land-near-kaikoura

 

The main issue seems to be keeping the looters at bay until the road is re-opened which could be a matter of months or years. The railway and road run from the ferry port of Picton to Christchurch. Train ferries are used to transport wagons between Wellington & Picton and most of the rail traffic is through freight between the Christchurch and the North Islands.

Edited November 23, 2016 by Mayner