The Catlins River Branch was a branch line railway that formed part of New Zealand's national rail network. It ran through the Catlins region in southwestern Otago and was built in sections between 1879 and 1915. It closed in 1971 except for the first four kilometres, which remain open as the Finegand Branch (formerly named the 'Finegand Industrial Siding'). Along the line was the Hunts Road tunnel, the southernmost tunnel in New Zealand. Construction The line was built mainly to provide access to timber for logging companies, as access to the thickly wooded Catlins region was very difficult at the time. The first contract for construction was let on 29 April 1879, but it was not until 15 December 1885 that the first 12.79 km to Romahapa from the junction with the Main South Line in Balclutha were opened. The next stage to Glenomaru added approximately ten more kilometres to the line and opened on 7 July 1891. The opening of the following section was delayed by difficulties in boring the Hunts Road tunnel, and it was on 16 December 1895 that the branch was opened to Tahora. The present-day largest town in the district, Owaka, was reached on 22 June 1896, bringing the line to a length of 31.06 kilometres. Three years later, construction of the line recommenced, but the difficult terrain meant that it wasn't until 1 August 1904 that the next 5.5 km to Ratanui opened. Another five kilometres, another five years; Houipapa was reached on 17 December 1909. The line eventually reached its ultimate terminus of Tahakopa on 17 February 1915. There were proposals to extend the line to meet the Tokanui Branch, but these were little more than ploys by ambitious politicians. The rugged landscape proved to be a deterrent to serious extension plans and they were abandoned. Stations The following stations were on the Catlins River Branch (distance from the junction in brackets): Finegand (3.6 km), current end of rails is just beyond the station site at the 4.05 km mark. Otanomomo (6.46 km) Romahapa (12.79 km), in the 1890s, a number of bush tramways operated in the immediate vicinity. Glenomaru, second station (19.41 km) Glenomaru, original station (22.79 km) Hunts Road (25.93 km) Tahora (29.23 km) Owaka (31.06 km), in the 1890s, a number of bush tramways operated in the immediate vicinity. Ratanui (36.65 km), also known as Catlins River and junction with