Long-term options for Dunedin train operations and maintenance of the track out to Middlemarch have been under development in recent months and are to be considered before the Dunedin City Council adopts its next 10-year plan.
More could be known this month about how operations might be structured.
A report about trains would likely go before councillors at a meeting on September 26, council chief executive Sandy Graham confirmed at a Strath Taieri Community Board meeting last week.
The scenic gorge trip is popular with tourists, but council-owned Dunedin Railways was put into hibernation when Covid-19 disrupted travel and services were run on a limited basis under temporary structures.
Tourism rebounded last summer and existing arrangements for running trains are to continue this summer.
Before Covid-19, train operators battled to break even at the same time as keeping on top of gorge track maintenance.
The council will soon consider which model might work best in the years ahead.
Another issue related to the track might also come before city councillors in the coming months.
A feasibility study about possibly extending the Otago Central Rail Trail past Middlemarch towards Dunedin is being worked on.
An extension of the cycle trail would result in at least part of the railway track being pulled up.
The city council provided some endorsement of the study getting done, but it also decided this year the Taieri Gorge rail journey should be retained as part of Dunedin’s tourism offering.
Ms Graham said in February the council was committed in principle to retaining a gorge train service.
Most trains on the gorge line have in recent times run between Dunedin and Hindon and maintenance on parts of the line have been either deferred or kept to limited levels.
The Strath Taieri Community Board supports having trains run to Middlemarch.
Among its activities are advocating for public retention of the complete railway line and infrastructure, and supporting an ongoing rail service or linkage between Dunedin and Middlemarch.
