Track damaged

The main trunk railway line was due to be reopened last night after it was closed as a result of a freight train derailment at Huntly.

The derailment destroyed 250 metres and damaged 3km of the south-bound line on which the train was travelling.

About 150m of the adjacent northbound line were damaged.

Eleven derailed train wagons had also disrupted traffic on State Highway 1.

The derailment happened about 12.05am, causing one 12m container and lengths of track to be pushed onto SH1 that runs alongside the track. The cause of the derailment was not yet known.

Overland passengers were bussed between Auckland and National Park.