76-661: Sanson may refer to: Places [ edit ] Sanson, New Zealand People [ edit ] Samson , biblical judge sometimes known as "Sansón" Sansón (wrestler) (born 1994), Mexican wrestler Audley Sanson (born 1974), Jamaican cricketer Boris Sanson (born 1980), French sabre fencer Charles-Henri Sanson (1739–1806), public executioner of France from 1788 to 1795 Ernest Sanson (1836–1918), French architect Henry-Clément Sanson (1799-1889), Royal Executioner of Paris from 1840 to 1847 Jean-Baptiste Sanson de Pongerville (1782–1870), French poet and member of
152-529: A 10-year turnaround plan for the rail industry. This was accompanied by significant government investment in KiwiRail of over $ 2.1 billion during the period 2008 to February 2017. In May 2017, the government announced a further $ 450 million capital injection and that KiwiRail would be subject to a further significant review. The plan has been significantly undermined by the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011,
228-487: A fictional privateer and antagonist in Michael Crichton's 2009 novel, Pirate Latitudes Other uses [ edit ] Sanson (cycling team) , several teams Sanson Tramway , New Zealand Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Sanson . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to
304-681: A national network connecting major centres in New Zealand was never realised. Despite the abolition of the provinces in 1876, parochial interests often overcame national interests, and the government approved and built many branch lines to lightly populated hinterlands, instead of prioritising interprovincial main trunks. As a result, a number of routes first proposed by Vogel in 1870 were still not complete by 1920. Bush tramways were usually privately owned light railways , usually for logging operations. Usually built with light tracks and light-weight rolling stock, bush tramways were usually connected to
380-594: A new rail hub complex in Hamilton and another planned for Mosgiel . In 2019, the government began a "Future of Rail" review, and in December 2019 released a draft New Zealand Rail Plan, outlining changes to the rail transport industry. The draft plan proposes a number of major changes, the most significant being future funding of the rail network through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF). The final plan
456-621: A particular focus on bulk freight exports and imports, with 19 million net tonnes moved by rail annually, accounting for more than half of rail revenue. Rail transport played an important role in the opening up and development of the hinterland outside of New Zealand's predominantly dispersed and coastal settlements. Starting with the Ferrymead Railway in 1863, most public railway lines were short, built by provincial governments and connected major centres to their nearest seaport (such as Christchurch and its port at Lyttelton Harbour ). From
532-611: A small number of tourist orientated passenger services, such as the TranzAlpine , Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer . Dunedin Railways also operate tourist trains out of Dunedin , and a number of heritage operators run charter specials from time to time. Urban passenger rail services exist only in Auckland and Wellington . Rail in New Zealand has received significant and ongoing government investment since re-nationalisation in 2008, with
608-445: Is a division of KiwiRail that maintains and upgrades the rail infrastructure and is responsible for the control of the network (i.e. train control and signalling). Other rail operating companies using the rail network include Auckland One Rail and Transdev Wellington , who operate suburban services in Auckland and Wellington respectively, and Dunedin Railways , who operate tourist trains out of Dunedin . KiwiRail released in 2010
684-792: Is a small settlement in the Manawatū District of New Zealand. It is located just south of Bulls and the Rangitīkei River , and west of the city of Palmerston North . Two major roads of the New Zealand state highway network meet in Sanson, State Highways 1 and 3 . From 1885 until 1945, the Sanson Tramway provided a link with the national rail network , running south to meet the now-closed Foxton Branch in Himatangi . European settlement in
760-463: Is due to open in late 2025 at the earliest. Light rail networks are planned for Auckland , Wellington , and Christchurch. Advocacy group Greater Auckland proposed the Regional Rapid Rail initiative in 2017, including tilt trains with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. This network would provide passenger services linking Auckland with Hamilton , Tauranga and Rotorua . In December 2018,
836-698: Is part of the larger Ohakea-Sanson statistical area. Sanson had a population of 582 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 45 people (8.4%) since the 2013 census , and an increase of 90 people (18.3%) since the 2006 census . There were 237 households, comprising 309 males and 276 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.12 males per female, with 120 people (20.6%) aged under 15 years, 87 (14.9%) aged 15 to 29, 288 (49.5%) aged 30 to 64, and 93 (16.0%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 84.0% European/ Pākehā , 26.3% Māori , 3.6% Pacific peoples , 4.6% Asian , and 3.1% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. Although some people chose not to answer
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#1732851429961912-609: The 2013 census , and an increase of 168 people (15.0%) since the 2006 census . There were 474 households, comprising 714 males and 576 females, giving a sex ratio of 1.24 males per female. The median age was 35.4 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 258 people (20.0%) aged under 15 years, 303 (23.5%) aged 15 to 29, 582 (45.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 150 (11.6%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 86.7% European/ Pākehā , 18.4% Māori , 2.3% Pacific peoples , 4.2% Asian , and 4.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
988-544: The 2016 Kaikōura earthquake , Pike River Mine disaster , coal price collapse, coal miner Solid Energy going into voluntary administration in 2016 and major motive power issues with the new DL class of locomotives. Nevertheless, significant improvements in freight volumes have followed (other than with coal). Two of KiwiRail's major customers, Mainfreight and Fonterra , also invested heavily in rail-related infrastructure. Mainfreight allocated $ 60 million for investment in new railhead depots, while Fonterra invested $ 130m in
1064-683: The Capital Connection between Wellington and Palmerston North , the Northern Explorer between Auckland and Wellington , the Coastal Pacific between Picton and Christchurch , the TranzAlpine between Christchurch and Greymouth , and Te Huia between Hamilton and Auckland Strand . Dunedin Railways operates tourist trains out of Dunedin , with frequent services on part of the former Otago Central Railway line and occasional services north from Dunedin to Palmerston. This service
1140-560: The Government of New Zealand committed funding to reintroducing a five-year trial rail service, named Te Huia , between Papakura in southern Auckland to Hamilton, starting in 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand , the Te Huia service had been delayed commencing operations to sometime after 3 August 2020, changed from its initial announced opening date of March 2020. In 2020,
1216-694: The Wellington Province ) were in London to negotiate the retention of Imperial British forces then in New Zealand fighting the New Zealand Wars . They were also tasked with investigating a uniform railway gauge for New Zealand. In 1870, James Macandrew MHR called for another select committee to investigate the need for a law to require one uniform railway gauge for the entire colony. Information from Featherston and Dillon Bell reached Wellington in August 1870, and
1292-477: The 12 miles (19 km) between Napier and Hastings but some were replaced by a New Zealand Railways Road Services bus in 1926, and soon they ceased altogether. Worker's concession tickets had been introduced in 1897, initially for the Wellington-Hutt service, and extended next year to Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin (and then between Westport and Waimangaroa). A 1979 NZR report "Time for Change" said that
1368-473: The 1870s, the focus shifted to building a nationwide network linking major centres, especially during the Vogel Era of railway construction following the abolition of the provinces. Narrow gauge of 3ft 6in (1,067mm) was adopted nationally. Bush tramways or light industrial railways sprang up connecting to the national network as it expanded. Railways became centrally controlled as a government department under
1444-425: The 1870s, with a few houses, a church and some other buildings on a single main road. Another photograph shows the church alongside a two-storied house, with a picket fence and a horse tied to a gate. The township of Sanson was the terminus of a tramway, with ran from a junction with the railway line at Hīmatangi from 1883 to 1945. The tram line is depicted in a photograph in the early 20th century. On one side of
1520-638: The 1930s they ran from Christchurch to Springfield on the Midland Line, and into the 1950s overnight between Christchurch and Dunedin. On the North Island Main Trunk they ran during the day while the expresses ran at night. On the Okahukura-Stratford Line they lasted to the early 1970s. In the 1950s and 1960s, most provincial routes had railcar and locomotive-hauled passenger services. In 1965, 25 million passengers travelled by rail; by 1998
1596-460: The 667 km line reduced truck volumes on the route by around 120 per day. A 2008 study by the Ministry of Transport predicted that by 2031 rail freight volumes would increase to 23 million tonnes per annum or 70% on the 2006–2007 financial year. In 2018 the same report found freight levels had increased by 17% between 2007 and 2012. As of 2023, there are only five long-distance passenger routes:
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#17328514299611672-475: The Académie française Morgan Sanson (born 1994), French footballer Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667), French cartographer Raoul Grimoin-Sanson (1860–1940), inventor in the field of early cinema Sansón (footballer) (1924-2012), Spanish footballer Véronique Sanson (born 1949), French singer-songwriter Yvonne Sanson (1926–2003), Italian film actress Characters [ edit ] Andre Sanson,
1748-619: The Auckland Regional Council was granted slots for it to contract the operation of suburban passenger trains. Auckland railway stations not already local council-owned were transferred to Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited (ARTNL), owned by the Auckland territorial authorities, which was merged with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), a subsidiary of the Auckland Regional Council (ARC). With
1824-680: The Manawatu District Council in Feilding) lies at the southern end of the township off State Highway 1. The school is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 16 as of August 2024. At the front of the old Sanson School building, located on State Highway 3 on the western boundary of the township (Dundas Road) is the Sanson Memorial Gate; erected to the memory of soldiers who died in World War I . It
1900-514: The Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific ended their services in December 2021. On April 12, 2022, KiwiRail announced the return of the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific services in September, alongside new multi day excursion trains at a later date. Horizons Regional Council 's 2021-2031 Regional Land Transport Plan noted that KiwiRail is considering a "connector service" which would link
1976-552: The Railways Department, now branded The Interislander . In 1982, the Railways Department was corporatised into a new entity at the same time land transport was deregulated. The Railways Department became the New Zealand Railways Corporation . The Corporation embarked on a major restructuring, laying off thousands of staff and cutting unprofitable services. After the 1983 land transport deregulation, there
2052-554: The Sanson blokart track and three days held on the airfield tarmac at the nearby RNZAF Base Ohakea . Rail transport in New Zealand Rail transport in New Zealand is an integral part of New Zealand's transport network , with a nationwide network of 4,375.5 km (2,718.8 mi) of track linking most major cities in the North and South Islands, connected by inter-island rail and road ferries. Rail transport in New Zealand has
2128-671: The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, nationalised in 1908, achieved any measure of success, with the rest being purchased by the Government before completion of their intended railway lines. One exception to this rule was the Ohai Railway Board in Southland, which was owned by the State Mines department and a local county council until its dissolution in 1990. The first major route
2204-816: The abolition of the provinces in 1876, railway lines were controlled by the central government, originally under the Public Works Department , and from 1880 under the New Zealand Railways Department. A Minister of Railways was responsible for the department and was a member of the New Zealand Cabinet . A few private companies built railways in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Midland Railway Company , Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company , Waimea Plains Railway , and Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Company. Only
2280-644: The area began with the New Zealand Government 's sale of the Sandon Block in the late 1860s. The block was designated an urban township rather than a rural block, as soldiers were not permitted to buy urban land. The Sandon block was settled from the Hutt Valley, and named after Hutt Small Farm Association secretary Henry Sanson. A photo in the National Library of New Zealand shows the settlement in
2356-433: The broad gauge network had been converted to narrow gauge. From 1870, the central government of Sir Julius Vogel proposed infrastructure including a national railway network to be funded by overseas loans of £10 million, under the guise of the "Great Public Works Policy". Settlement and land sales to immigrants from Britain resulting from this infrastructure investment would pay for the scheme. The first narrow-gauge line
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2432-431: The census's question about religious affiliation, 58.2% had no religion, 25.3% were Christian , 3.6% had Māori religious beliefs , 2.1% were Muslim and 3.1% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 30 (6.5%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 126 (27.3%) people had no formal qualifications. 39 people (8.4%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
2508-426: The company's total revenue. Freight is mostly bulk traffic geared towards export industries, with general freight being largely restricted to containerised and palletised products on the trunk route. Major bulk freight includes coal, lime, steel, wood and wood products, paper pulp, dry and liquid milk, cars, fertiliser, grain and shipping containers . Freight levels have returned to the level that they were at when
2584-484: The core rail operations of the Corporation were transferred to New Zealand Rail Limited, another state-owned enterprise, with the Corporation retaining non-core assets which were gradually disposed of, including a significant land portfolio. In many cases, the Corporation did not dispose of land due to Treaty of Waitangi claims and has continued to manage land. New Zealand Rail Limited was privatised in 1993. The company
2660-487: The country, but did recommend narrow gauge if that were to happen, stating "narrow gauge appears calculated to carry all the traffic for many years, and would possess the advantage of greater cheapness in construction; for this reason railways of this character should be encouraged." By 1869, 78 kilometres (48 mi) of provincial railways were open, with another 30 kilometres (19 mi) under construction, mainly in Southland and Canterbury. Parliamentary debate focused on
2736-475: The creation of the "super-city" Auckland Council in 2010, ARTA was dissolved and its role was taken over by Auckland Transport , a new council-controlled organisation . In 2003, the share price of Tranz Rail dropped to a record low on the New Zealand sharemarket , dropping 88% in value in 12 months as a result of its poor financial state and credit downgrading. The government then considered various schemes for bailing it out in return for regaining control of
2812-487: The districts' populations to urban services. It also noted that rail service between Whanganui and Palmerston North could be established. The Plan proposes to replace the Capital Connection, a long-range commuter train, with a modern and larger train fleet that could operate at a higher frequency. Currently, Auckland and Wellington have suburban passenger services. In both cities, the respective local governments own
2888-471: The electric trains on behalf of Auckland Transport (AT). In recent years the mothballed Onehunga Branch was reopened (2010) and a new line was built ( Manukau Branch , opened April 2012). Recent major projects include electrification of the Auckland suburban network and the building of the City Rail Link . Most Auckland rolling stock is owned by AT, which funds and coordinates all services. In 2017,
2964-411: The ferry service to Wellington ran in 1976. The 10.5 km line to Lyttelton was electrified from 1929 to 1970. There were worker's trains north to Rangiora; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Dunedin had suburban trains to Port Chalmers and Mosgiel, withdrawn on 3 December 1982. The Invercargill to Bluff service stopped in 1967; in 1929 the sole Clayton steam railcar had been used. Trains ran
3040-483: The government announced funding for a number of rail-related infrastructure projects, mainly in the Auckland region. A business case is progressing for a branch railway to be built from the North Auckland Line to Northport at Marsden Point . Freight is carried by KiwiRail and provides the majority of its revenue traffic. In the 2017–2018 financial year, freight contributed $ 350.7 million in revenue or 57% of
3116-399: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sanson&oldid=1251761169 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with surname-holder lists Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Sanson, New Zealand Sanson
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3192-441: The major freight terminals. One of the reasons often cited for these policies was that the cost of using road transport to Tranz Rail was less than that of using rail because the road infrastructure is provided as a public good , whereas the rail network was a private good . The government purchased the Auckland metropolitan rail network from Tranz Rail for $ 81 million in 2002. Tranz Rail retained time slots for freight trains, and
3268-465: The names New Zealand Government Railways or New Zealand Railways Department (NZR), and land transport was heavily regulated from 1931 onwards. NZR eventually expanded into other transport modes, especially with the Railways Road Services , inter-island ferries and Rail Air service. NZR also had an extensive network of workshops. By 1981, NZR employed 22,000 staff. In the early 1980s, NZR
3344-509: The national railway network and were often moved as the forest was cleared. The last bush tramway for logging native bush closed in 1974. Bush tramways should not be confused with urban street-cars , known in New Zealand as trams. In the 20th century, New Zealand cities had extensive tram networks. Most of these networks closed mid-century, being replaced by buses. There are now proposals in Auckland and Wellington for new light rail networks, New Zealand has no rapid transit metros. Following
3420-838: The number had decreased to 11.7 million. A number of services came to an end in the early 2000s, including the Waikato Connection between Hamilton and Auckland, the Kaimai Express between Auckland and Tauranga, the Geyserland Express between Auckland and Rotorua, the Bay Express between Wellington and Napier, the Southerner between Christchurch and Invercargill and the Northerner night service between Auckland and Wellington. Two further long distance scheduled passenger services,
3496-436: The number of tonnes of traffic gained in 2008–2009 compared to the amount of traffic hauled in the 2006–2007 year). In recent years, the amount of freight moved by rail has increased substantially and has started to gain market share in non-bulk areas as well. Freight on the North Island Main Trunk line between Auckland and Palmerston North saw an increase of 39% in freight volumes between 2006 and 2007. The five daily trains on
3572-601: The provincial railways expanded. In 1867, the House of Representatives formed a select committee to investigate the issue, composed of members of parliament from all across New Zealand. The select committee heard evidence from railway engineers who proposed a number of options, including building main trunk lines at standard gauge, while using narrow gauge for branch lines. Engineers cited the experience of Queenland's railways , which had adopted narrow gauge in 1864. The select committee did not recommend making railway gauge uniform across
3648-546: The question of whether the provincial railways could keep their wider gauges, while narrow gauge railways were to be built. Member of the House of Representatives (MHR) James Crowe Richmond , who had worked on the Great Western Railway and in railways in Belgium, became the most prominent advocate for a uniform narrow gauge nationwide. In late 1869 Francis Dillon Bell MHR and Issac Featherston MHR (also superintendent of
3724-629: The rail infrastructure. Cited reasons included a "level playing field" for freight movements on road and rail, and ensuring access to the tracks for all interested parties. Toll Holdings of Australia made a successful takeover bid for Tranz Rail, subject to an agreement to sell back the infrastructure to the government for $ 1. In exchange, Toll was granted exclusive use of the rail network subject to minimum freight and passenger volumes, payment of track access charges and its own investment in new rolling stock. This transaction took place in July 2004, and Tranz Rail
3800-406: The railway had a virtual monopoly on land transport, prior to 1983. In 1980 11.8 million tonnes of freight was moved by rail, in 1994 this had decreased to 9.4 million tonnes. By 1999, tonnes carried had increased to 12.9 million tonnes, slightly more than the 1975 peak. In the 2006–2007 financial year, 13.7 million tonnes of freight were carried. This equated to 3.96 million net tonne kilometres (or
3876-532: The recently elected Labour -led Coalition government proposed to provide commuter rail in Christchurch and to provide long-distance commuter services from Auckland to Hamilton and Tauranga. Other cities (Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Napier-Hastings) once had suburban services, but they were withdrawn due to a lack of patronage. The Christchurch-Lyttelton suburban service was stopped in 1972 when passengers were down to "a busload". The last "boat train" for
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#17328514299613952-428: The required diesel locomotives. Auckland's network consists of four lines: Southern , Eastern , Western and Onehunga . All services on these lines are provided by AM class electric trains , the conversion from diesel being completed by the end of 2015 with the exception of the non-electrified section of track between Papakura and Pukekohe, where a diesel train shuttle service operates. Auckland One Rail operates
4028-539: The second select committee to investigate whether a law was required for gauge uniformity met from that month. By majority the select committee reported back to the house in favour of narrow gauge being adopted as the uniform gauge nationwide, and allowing Canterbury Provincial Railways to continue to expand its broad-gauge network, with dual-gauge track where narrow gauge met broad gauge. William Sefton Moorhouse MHR, former superintendent of Canterbury Province and advocate for broad gauge, and William Rolleston MHR, at
4104-551: The services have been operated by Transdev Wellington . Prior to Transdev, KiwiRail's Tranz Metro division held the contract. Wellington's suburban rolling stock consists of electric multiple units , with diesel locomotive-hauled carriage trains used on the Wairarapa service. All of the rolling stock (except the diesel locomotives) is owned by Greater Wellington Rail Limited, a subsidiary of Greater Wellington Regional Council. Transdev Wellington contracts KiwiRail to provide and operate
4180-594: The start of 2008. Instead of concluding a final track access agreement with Toll, in 2008 the government purchased the rail and ferry assets for $ 690 million, effective 1 July 2008. The new organisation created to operate services on the rail network was named KiwiRail . Ownership of the national rail network is vested in KiwiRail Holdings Limited, with land owned by the New Zealand Railways Corporation. KiwiRail Network (formerly ONTRACK)
4256-431: The suburban passenger rolling stock and contract the operation of services to a third-party, in both cases Transdev . The Wellington suburban network has five lines: Johnsonville , Kapiti , Melling , Hutt Valley and Wairarapa . In 1938, Wellington became the second city (after the Christchurch service to Lyttelton) to have electric suburban trains, and from 1970 to 2014 was the only city with them. From July 2016,
4332-694: The time superintendent of Canterbury Province, were in the minority on the select committee opposing the legislation. Despite this opposition, Parliament passed the Railways Act 1870 in September 1870, requiring all railways to be built or converted to narrow gauge, with an exemption of the Christchurch-Rakaia section of Canterbury Provincial Railways. Sections of the Canterbury railway network were converted to dual-gauge, including Rakaia to Lyttleton, with new branch lines built to narrow gauge. By 1878, all of
4408-416: The tram line are wooden buildings; on the other is an unpaved street, a two-storey store, and a local hotel. By 2006, the town was a highway stop with several craft and antique shops. Sanson is defined by Statistics New Zealand as a rural settlement. It covers 0.60 km (0.23 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 670 as of June 2024, with a population density of 1,117 people per km . It
4484-482: The two urban rail systems being upgraded. In 2021, the government launched the New Zealand Rail Plan, with funding for rail projects to come from National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), with KiwiRail remaining an SOE but paying Track Access Charges (TACs) to use the network. Railway lines were initially constructed by the provincial governments of New Zealand from 1863 onwards. New Zealand's first public railway
4560-473: Was $ 40,100, compared with $ 31,800 nationally. 150 people (14.5%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 645 (62.5%) people were employed full-time, 144 (14.0%) were part-time, and 27 (2.6%) were unemployed. Sanson School, having relocated in 1991 to what was the Manawatu County Council building (which upon moving premises, later to become
4636-426: Was 11.6, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.0% had no religion, 27.0% were Christian , 2.3% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.9% were Muslim and 2.6% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 144 (14.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 192 (18.6%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income
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#17328514299614712-477: Was a substantial rationalisation of freight facilities; many stations and smaller yards were closed and freight train services were sped up, increased in length and made heavier, with the removal of guard's vans in 1987 and the gradual elimination of older rolling stock, particularly four-wheeled wagons. In 1987, the Railways Corporation became a state-owned enterprise , required to make a profit. In 1990,
4788-674: Was accused of deliberately running down some lines through lack of maintenance. The Midland Line for example, which mostly carries coal from the West Coast to Lyttelton, was assessed to be in a safe but poor state by the LTSA government safety body in 2003, and has needed major repairs. Tranz Rail was accused of forcing freight onto the roads, and in 2002 introduced a containerisation scheme that assumed that most freight would be carried in containers on unit trains made up of fixed consists of flat deck wagons. Container loading depots were constructed at
4864-402: Was chosen due to the need to cross mountainous terrain in the country's interior and the lower cost of construction. Due to multiple rail gauges being used by railways built by provincial governments, the prospect of a similar break of gauge problem to Australia (where narrow, standard and broad gauge railways were built by different colonial governments) became a major political issue as
4940-463: Was completed between Christchurch and Dunedin in 1878, later extended to Invercargill the following year. The North Island Main Trunk , linking capital city Wellington with the largest city Auckland , opened in 1908 after 23 years of construction. At the network's peak in 1952, about 100 branch lines were operating. Large-scale closures of branch railway lines began in the 1960s and 1970s. The network
5016-409: Was corporatised as the New Zealand Railways Corporation and drastically restructured, especially following the deregulation of land transport in 1983. The Corporation became a state-owned enterprise (SOE) in 1987, required to run at a profit. In 1991, the rail, inter-island ferry and infrastructure businesses of the Railways Corporation were split off into a new SOE, New Zealand Rail Limited , which
5092-496: Was in turn privatised in 1993, and renamed Tranz Rail in 1995. The parcels and bus service business units were also privatised, and the Railways Corporation continued to dispose of surplus land. The central government renationalised first the Auckland metro railway network in 2001, then the rest of the network in 2004, and finally the rail and ferry operations in 2008, creating another SOE, KiwiRail . Today, services are primarily provided by KiwiRail and focused on bulk freight, with
5168-519: Was initially protected from road transport competition under the Transport Licensing Act 1931 , but this protection was gradually eased until its total abolition in 1983, along with the deregulation of the land transport industry. The networks of the North and South Islands were independent of one another until the introduction of the inter-island roll-on roll-off rail ferry service in 1962 by
5244-495: Was launched in April 2021, confirming funding for rail projects from the NLTF, and the use of Track Access Charges (TACs) for users of the rail network, including KiwiRail. Some specific projects were also outlined as possibilities: The City Rail Link is an underground rail line currently under construction linking Waitematā railway station to Maungawhau railway station in Auckland and
5320-535: Was mothballed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since restarted with a reduced timetable. Mixed trains were "once the backbone of the New Zealand railway passenger system" on branch and even main lines, but the last scheduled mixed train ran between Whangarei and Opua on 6 June 1977. With a "rake of assorted wagons" and one or two passenger carriages, often listed as "goods with car" in timetables, they were slow, often stopping and shunting wagons en route. In
5396-627: Was opened in that year, running the short distance between Christchurch and the wharf at Ferrymead and built by the Canterbury Provincial Railways . The Canterbury Provincial Railways were built to the broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ). In February 1867, Southland Province opened a branch from Invercargill to Bluff to the international standard gauge of 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,435 mm ). 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge (internationally known as narrow gauge)
5472-633: Was opened on 1 January 1873 in the Otago Province , the Port Chalmers Branch under the auspices of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Company Limited. Auckland's first railway, between Auckland and Onehunga , opened in December 1873. Vogel also arranged for Brogdens of England to undertake several rail construction contracts, to be built by "Brogden's Navvies" recruited in England. Vogel's vision of
5548-435: Was renamed Toll New Zealand . The government committed $ 200 million of taxpayer funding for deferred maintenance and capital improvements via a new subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, ONTRACK. An interim agreement was signed by Toll NZ for track access; Toll paid a nominal track access charge while negotiating a final agreement with ONTRACK. These negotiations did not progress and eventually went to arbitration at
5624-462: Was sold for $ 328.3 million to a consortium named Pylorus Investments Limited. In 1995 the new owners adopted the name Tranz Rail and listed the company on the New Zealand stock market and NASDAQ . Rail freight volumes increased between 1993 and 2000 from 8.5m net tonnes to 14.99m net tonnes carried annually, and then gradually fell until 2003 to 13.7m tonnes. Freight volumes then increased again to 16.1m tonnes carried annually in 2012. Tranz Rail
5700-443: Was that 249 (53.9%) people were employed full-time, 69 (14.9%) were part-time, and 21 (4.5%) were unemployed. Ohakea-Sanson statistical area, which also includes Ohakea , covers 82.45 km (31.83 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 1,590 as of June 2024, with a population density of 19 people per km . Ohakea-Sanson had a population of 1,290 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 60 people (4.9%) since
5776-583: Was unveiled on 31 August 1924 and lists the names of twelve deceased soldiers. The nearest secondary school (year 9–13) is Feilding High School , 17 km (11 mi) away in Feilding. The Manawatū Blokart Club is based in Sanson. In 2022, the club hosted the Blokarting 2022 New Zealand National Championships and the World Championships. The 5 day World Championship event saw two days of competition at
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