Cross Country Main Line
| Cross Country Main Line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Heavy rail |
| Status | In use |
| Locale | Centralia, Beaufortshire, Fitzroyshire |
| Termini |
Shepton Dairyton |
| Operation | |
| Owner | New Ingrean Railways |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 112 miles 36 chains (112.45 miles, 180.97 km) |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Electrification | Overhead 25 kv AC |
The Cross Country Main Line (often abbreviated to CCML) is a railway line running from Shepton, Centralia to Dairyton, Fitzroyshire. The line links the Central Plateau of Brunswich Island to the North Coast.
Route description
History
A branch line was first opened through the picturesque country between Waihou to Bielsdown in 1924, but was difficult to maintain due to the steep terrain and high rainfall and was abandoned in 1972 after a wash-away. This line was bypassed in 1977 and has been re-purposed as a tourist line, now known as the Waihou Mountain Railway. The remainder of the line, from Bielsdown to Shepton was completed as unemployment relief project during the Great Depression, and opened to services in 1933.
The entire length of the CCML was electrified in 2003, improving freight and passenger service efficiency.
Passenger services
The Corfe Harbour Sprint service to Corfe Harbour runs along the CCML as part of the route from Kingsbury to Corfe Harbour. The service stops at a number of destinations along the line before terminating in Corfe Harbour. In addition, the Inter-Island Sprint from Kingsbury to Lunenborough runs the length of the CCML, before turning north on to the North Coast Main Line and continues to the rail ferry at Whakamarino.