 The original expectation that the work could be completed in six months proved to be too ambitious, as for much of the railways' length there was limited site access, the need to also lift sidings or to not obstruct level crossings to allow for the passage of vehicular traffic.The lifted rails and sleepers were hauled back to and stored in the Nelson station yard pending disposal.Many of the sleepers were sold by tender, while some of the rails ended up at other railway projects around the country.