File:Milson001.jpg
A Royal Commission was set up in 1921 to inquire and report on the matter. Funds for the deviation were not made available until 1926. Earthworks started in 1926 but stopped in 1929 as traffic had not increased as expected. With the depression of the 1920s no more work took place until 1938. World War Two resulted in further delays with work not fully resuming until 1953. A detailed plan and stage by stage proposal were made in 1956 which resulted in the new line being completed and opened in July 1959.
Shown here is an NZ Railways photo of the deviation. The photo is from a Railways Publicity and Advertising Branch registered subject file.
Archives New Zealand Reference: AAVK 22950 75 PUB158/9 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=21512969