Cranes getting trains back on the plain at Whakatu

A crane is used to clear a derailed train in Whakatu.

Several cranes have been used to help move six derailed wagons and with repairs as KiwiRail strives to reinstate a section of railway line between Napier and Hastings on Wednesday.

KiwiRail acting chief operations officer Henare Clarke said last night the wagons had been removed from the site just north of Whakatu during the day and work on repairing the damage caused was proceeding well.

"Staff will be working over the weekend to repair the damage to the line and are on target to have the line reopen on Sunday," he said.

Train watcher Ken Le Prou said yesterday he understood a shunting locomotive which had been hauling 16 wagons - many carrying two shipping containers - towards Napier, had returned to the Ahuriri yards, near the Port of Napier.

Containers were hoisted from wagons and loaded on to Toll trucks. Wagons on the bridge were hauled along the track to be placed back on the rails to be towed to Hastings.

While Napier Port had not responded by last night to requests comment, it was understood the derailment had had little or no impact on the operation of the port.

KiwiRail had said five trips were cancelled on Thursday because of the incident.

Meanwhile, KiwiRail is still considering options for repairing the Napier-Wairoa line at the site of a washout just north of Raupunga.

The washout threatens to delay reopening of the track to meet demands of the forestry industry.

"We are working our way through a number of potential scenarios for repairing the damage caused by the slip at Raupunga on the Napier-Wairoa line before deciding on a preferred option," Clarke said.