Dargaville Branch
Encyclopedia
The Dargaville Branch is a branch line
railway that leaves the North Auckland Line not far south of Whangarei
and runs westward to Dargaville
. Construction of this relatively short line took approximately two decades, and when it was completed, it linked the now closed Donnelly's Crossing Section
with the national rail network
. Although the Dargaville Branch's future is uncertain, it continues to operate today.
on the North Auckland Line commenced in 1922. Dargaville, however, was not reached for another eighteen years. The first twenty-two kilometres through unstable country took six years to build, with the line not opened to Kirikopuni until 15 May 1928. In January 1931, the line was open to Tangowahine
, sixteen kilometres from Dargaville, but construction ceased for five years due to the Great Depression
. In 1940, trains commenced running to Dargaville, but the old railway station (used by the Donnelly's Crossing Section) was closed and a new station built at a different location, delaying the formal opening of the Dargaville Branch until 15 March 1943, over twenty years after construction began.
At one time, there was a proposal to build a railway from Kirikopuni north to Kaikohe
, but considering the presence of a line from Whangarei, this proposal was discarded. Some other construction did occur around Kirikopuni, however - the line was initially constructed with a balloon loop
into the town, which was two kilometres north of the direct line to Dargaville, but a bypass eliminated the loop in 1943.
s carrying both passengers and freight ran to connect with passenger services on the North Auckland Line - the Northland Express
(Auckland
-Opua
and return) until November 1956, and then the 88 seater
railcar
s (Auckland-Okaihau
and return). After March 1967, the line carried freight only, and in recent years, its future has been under question. At one point in the first half of the 2000s, it was closed for six months, but traffic has now returned and the line is operated from Whangarei. A daily return train is scheduled from Monday to Friday but it only runs when required. It takes roughly three hours both ways; the service to Dargaville arrives in the mid-morning and departs before lunch, arriving in Whangarei in the mid-afternoon.http://railnz.co.nz/times/TrainTimetableGuide.htm
s of the AB
and J
classes. When the line was dieselised, DA class
diesel-electrics took over and worked the line until 1988. Nowadays, the DBR class
and DC class
comprise the motive power seen running to Dargaville.
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
railway that leaves the North Auckland Line not far south of Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
and runs westward to Dargaville
Dargaville
Dargaville is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Northland region. The town is located 55 kilometres southwest of Whangarei....
. Construction of this relatively short line took approximately two decades, and when it was completed, it linked the now closed Donnelly's Crossing Section
Donnelly's Crossing Section
The Donnellys Crossing Section , also known as the Kaihu Valley Railway, was a railway line in Northland, New Zealand. Initially an isolated line, it became a branch line when the Dargaville Branch was opened and connected it with the North Auckland Line and the rest of the national rail network...
with the national rail network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
. Although the Dargaville Branch's future is uncertain, it continues to operate today.
Construction
The Dargaville Branch was built relatively late in comparison to most railway lines in New Zealand. Construction from WaiotiraWaiotira
Waiotira is a locality in Northland, New Zealand. Whangarei is to the northeast. Tauraroa is about 9 km northeast. The North Auckland railway line passes through Tauraroa, and the Waiotira Stream flows southwest to join with the Omaru River.-Education:...
on the North Auckland Line commenced in 1922. Dargaville, however, was not reached for another eighteen years. The first twenty-two kilometres through unstable country took six years to build, with the line not opened to Kirikopuni until 15 May 1928. In January 1931, the line was open to Tangowahine
Tangowahine
Tangowahine is a community on the northern Kaipara Harbour in Northland, New Zealand. The Tangowahine Stream flows from the Tutumoe Range east and then south to join the Wairoa River at Tangowahine. State Highway 14 passes through Tangowahine...
, sixteen kilometres from Dargaville, but construction ceased for five years due to the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. In 1940, trains commenced running to Dargaville, but the old railway station (used by the Donnelly's Crossing Section) was closed and a new station built at a different location, delaying the formal opening of the Dargaville Branch until 15 March 1943, over twenty years after construction began.
At one time, there was a proposal to build a railway from Kirikopuni north to Kaikohe
Kaikohe
Kaikohe is the central service area for the Far North District of New Zealand, about 260 km from Auckland, situated on State Highway 12 at...
, but considering the presence of a line from Whangarei, this proposal was discarded. Some other construction did occur around Kirikopuni, however - the line was initially constructed with a balloon loop
Balloon loop
A balloon loop or turning loop allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse direction without having to shunt or even stop. Balloon loops can be useful for passenger trains and unit freight trains, such as coal trains....
into the town, which was two kilometres north of the direct line to Dargaville, but a bypass eliminated the loop in 1943.
Operation
Dargaville Branch operations have never been spectacular. From its opening until March 1967, mixed trainMixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s carrying both passengers and freight ran to connect with passenger services on the North Auckland Line - the Northland Express
Northland Express
The Northland Express, also known as the Opua Express, was an express passenger train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between 1925 and 1956. It ran from Auckland via Whangarei to Opua in the Bay of Islands.-Operation:...
(Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
-Opua
Opua
Opua is a locality in the Bay of Islands, in the sub-tropical Northland Region of New Zealand. It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean...
and return) until November 1956, and then the 88 seater
NZR RM class (88 seater)
The NZR RM class 88-seaters were a class of railcar used in New Zealand, known unofficially as 'articulateds', 'twinsets', 'Drewrys' and 'Fiats'. They were purchased to replace steam-hauled provincial passenger trains and mixed trains...
railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
s (Auckland-Okaihau
Okaihau
Okaihau is a small town in the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island, just north of Kaikohe. State Highway 1 passes through the town. The 2006 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings recorded Okaihau's population as 717, an increase of 30 people since the 2001 census.- Transport...
and return). After March 1967, the line carried freight only, and in recent years, its future has been under question. At one point in the first half of the 2000s, it was closed for six months, but traffic has now returned and the line is operated from Whangarei. A daily return train is scheduled from Monday to Friday but it only runs when required. It takes roughly three hours both ways; the service to Dargaville arrives in the mid-morning and departs before lunch, arriving in Whangarei in the mid-afternoon.http://railnz.co.nz/times/TrainTimetableGuide.htm
Motive power
Typical motive power on the Dargaville Branch from its opening until the mid-1960s were steam locomotiveSteam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s of the AB
NZR Ab class
The NZR AB class was a class of 4-6-2 Pacific tender steam locomotive that operated on New Zealand's national railway system. Originally an improvement on the 1906 A class, 141 were built between 1915 and 1927 by NZR's Addington Workshops, A & G Price Limited of Thames, New Zealand, and North...
and J
NZR J class (1939)
The NZR J class steam locomotives were a class of locomotive used in New Zealand. Following the success of the K class on NZR main lines, there was an urgent need for a modern, powerful locomotive capable of running over secondary lines laid with lighter rails. Thus a new "Mountain" 4-8-2 type...
classes. When the line was dieselised, DA class
NZR DA class
The NZR Da diesel-electric mainline locomotive class ran on the New Zealand railway system between 1955 and 1989. With 146 locomotives, it was the most numerous class to operate in New Zealand, just five more than the AB class steam locomotive....
diesel-electrics took over and worked the line until 1988. Nowadays, the DBR class
NZR DB class
The NZR Db diesel-electric locomotive class was built in 1965-1966. They were a lighter version of the Da class to operate on secondary North Island lines from which the Da was excluded due to its weight. One of the principal lines which the Db dominated was the East Coast Main Trunk to Tauranga...
and DC class
NZR DC class
The NZR DC class locomotive is the most common class of locomotive currently in operation on the New Zealand rail network. Primarily employed to haul freight trains operated by KiwiRail, the class is also used for long-distance passenger trains operated by Tranz Scenic and suburban passenger trains...
comprise the motive power seen running to Dargaville.