Empty log train passes through western suburbs en-route to Whangarei. The 200Km long North Auckland Line is rustic and rugged beyond the Waitakere terminus for Auckland Transport trains. It faces an uncertain future due to light traffic.
Trains on 3' 6" (1.067m) track from Whangarei to Bluff with virtually heritage rebuilt EMD and GE locomotives still the mainstay power. The network was privatized in 1990's and operated by Toll until 2008 when state owned KiwiRail was established.