the start of the 20th century, the slow mixed services between Wanganui and Hawera had become the subject of complaints that they did not suit the convenience of the locals for whom they were operated. Residents began agitating for a dedicated passenger train to run daily from Wanganui through Hawera to New Plymouth and return. It was not until 1926 that such a service was introduced, the Taranaki Flyer. It took approximately 4.5 hours to complete its journey, a considerable improvement on mixed trains. On 31 October 1955, the Flyer ran for the last time and was replaced by a railcar service operated by 88 seater and Standard RM class railcars. The railcars did not last long, as declining patronage resulted in their cancellation from 7 February 1959. From this point, regular passenger services ceased to operate on the Wanganui Branch. Wanganui passengers instead had to board mainline trains in Aramoho; this arrangement lasted until 30 July 1977, when the final passenger service through Aramoho was cancelled. The only passenger services on the branch since 1959 have been infrequent excursions, such as those operated by Steam Incorporated and the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. The SteamRail Wanganui heritage organisation is based at the Wanganui terminus and it operates charter excursions from this depot as well as providing facilities for visiting excursions to replenish fuel supplies. Freight services Freight traffic has always played a prominent role on the line, particularly when Wanganui had an active port. In 1878, the fact that one more train ran daily between Wanganui and Palmerston North than between Foxton and Palmerston North led Foxton business interests to fear that the more regular service would boost Wanganui's trade at the expense of Foxton. Trains currently operate less frequently, but are capable of carrying significantly more tonnage than 19th century services. One freight train arrives at lunchtime every weekday from Palmerston North, departing later in the afternoon. An additional morning service runs if required, including on weekends. Motive power Motive power is currently provided by diesel locomotives, such as the DC and DX classes. In the era of steam locomotives, tank locomotives such as the WB were based in Wanganui and worked the Branch. They were largely replaced by AB class tender locomotives in the mid-1920s, but WW class tank locomotives continued to shunt industrial sidings as late as the 1960s. From the mid-1950s, the dominant locomotive