alongside the Whanganui River was closed, and that branch diverted to make an end-on junction with the Castlecliff Branch. As a result, the Wanganui Branch/Castlecliff Branch junction was moved to the west, nearer Castlecliff. Passenger services In its early years, the line provided the primary means of transport between Wanganui and Castlecliff. Saddle tank steam locomotives provided the motive power and passenger traffic was sufficient to justify six trains each way daily. Extra services were operated on weekends and public holidays to cater for the crowds that travelled to the beach at Castlecliff. In 1912 a tramway opened from central Wanganui to Castlecliff and entered into competition with the CRC. Previously passengers from Aramoho and other locations beyond walking distance of the CRC's Wanganui terminus had been able to purchase combined train and tram tickets for trips to Castlecliff, but now that it had its own line the tramway ceased this practice. The CRC pursued a number of measures to boost patronage, such as carrying prams and bicycles free. It also considered more drastic steps such as electrifying the line or purchasing a battery-electric railcar like the Railways Department's Edison railcar. However, competition from the tramways became too strong and passenger services were withdrawn in April 1932, the line remaining open for goods only. The only passenger services over the line since then have been excursions operated by enthusiast societies such as SteamRail Wanganui. Freight services The primary reason for the existence of the Castlecliff Branch was freight. It served the Port of Wanganui and numerous industrial sidings. A chemical works was established in Aramoho in 1924 and the railway was used to carry Nauru phosphate from the port. In June 1939 the Port Bowen ran aground on Castlecliff's beach and the railway was used to salvage it. A temporary line of approximately 3 km length was built from the CRC's terminus onto the beach to the vessel, which was dismantled and railed away. Steam locomotives worked freight services on the Castlecliff Branch into the 1960s, including members of the WW class. The line was dieselised in the 1960s, and in its last active years DSC class shunting locomotives worked the line. When they were removed from Wanganui, services ceased. On 5 September 2006 the operator of the New Zealand network, Toll Rail, closed the line to all traffic and a sleeper was placed across the start of the line