number of final excursions were held, with the last proving to be quite eventful. AB 795 (now preserved to run the Kingston Flyer) lost its sanding ability as it climbed from Owaka to Takahopa and therefore could not grip the rails. Although repairs were conducted at the terminus, the engine's firebox arch collapsed on the return journey and DJ 1243 had to run the train from Owaka back to Dunedin, finally arriving at 1 am the next morning. The line's closure did not affect the first four kilometres to Finegand, which remain open as an industrial siding to a freezing works. Today Although remnants of closed railways diminish and disappear as a result of both nature and human activity, the Catlins River Branch is a well-preserved line due to its isolated location. The Hunts Road tunnel is preserved by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and can be walked; the old railway's formation to the tunnel is quite visible at this point, as it is at many other locations along the line. Goods sheds and station buildings still stand in Maclennan, Romahapa (in this case, the station building has been resited), Takahopa, and Tawanui. Station buildings can also be found at Puketiro and Caberfeidh. In Takahopa, some rails are embedded in a road by the yard's former site, wheels from logging trolleys used on a bush tramway remain at the location of Stuart's yard, and the bridge over the Romahapa Creek continues to stand. References Citations Bibliography External links Brian's Ghost Railways - the Catlins River Branch Railway lines in New Zealand Railway lines opened in 1885 Railway lines closed in 1971 The Catlins 3 ft 6 in gauge railways in New Zealand 1885 establishments in New Zealand 1971 disestablishments in New Zealand Closed railway lines in New Zealand Clutha District