 Several months after this announcement, on 17 July 1931, the Glenhope – Kawatiri section was closed and Glenhope once again became the terminus of the line, a distinction it would hold for the rest of its existence.The rails of the disused section were overtaken by nature until finally being lifted and reclaimed for use elsewhere in 1942.All trains on the Nelson section were operated by the Railways Department, apart from Public Works Department operated construction trains.