Passenger services

In its early years, the line provided the primary means of transport between Wanganui and Castlecliff. Saddle tank steam locomotives provided the motive power and passenger traffic was sufficient to justify six trains each way daily. Extra services were operated on weekends and public holidays to cater for the crowds that travelled to the beach at Castlecliff.^[9] A platform was built at Castle Terrace, near Woon Street, Castlecliff, in 1896 and other stopping points added.^[10] In 1912 a tramway opened from central Wanganui to Castlecliff and entered into competition with the CRC. Previously passengers from Aramoho and other locations beyond walking distance of the CRC's Wanganui terminus had been able to purchase combined train and tram tickets for trips to Castlecliff, but now that it had its own line the tramway ceased this practice. The CRC pursued a number of measures to boost patronage, such as carrying prams and bicycles free. It also considered more drastic steps such as electrifying the line or purchasing a battery-electric railcar like the Railways Department's Edison railcar.^[11] However, competition from the tramways became too strong and passenger services were withdrawn in April 1932, the line remaining open for goods only.^[1] The only passenger services over the line since then have been excursions operated by enthusiast societies such as SteamRail Wanganui.

Freight services

The primary reason for the existence of the Castlecliff Branch was freight. It served the Port of Wanganui and numerous industrial sidings.^[1] A chemical works was established in Aramoho in 1924 and the railway was used to carry Nauru phosphate from the port. In June 1939 the Port Bowen ran aground on Castlecliff's beach and the railway was used to salvage it. A temporary line of approximately 3 km length was built from the CRC's terminus onto the beach to the vessel, which was dismantled and railed away.^[9] The line over the beach was built in 1940^[12] and removed in 1943.^[13]

Steam locomotives worked freight services on the Castlecliff Branch into the 1960s, including members of the W^W class.^[14] The line was dieselised in the 1960s, and in its last active years DSC class shunting locomotives worked the line. When they were removed from Wanganui, services ceased.

On 5 September 2006 the operator of the New Zealand network, Toll Rail, closed the line to all traffic and a sleeper was placed across the start of the line to prohibit its use.^[15] The line was not formally closed as this required written permission from the appropriate government minister. The track remained in place and the line was mothballed following this announcement. Expressions of interest in a rail link from industrial businesses in the Castlecliff area prompted KiwiRail to investigate the possibility of reopening the line and the line was subsequently upgraded and reopened in 2010.^[16] In October 2010 it was announced the line was to reopen, as the terminus of a new inland port for Port Taranaki, serving the Open Country diary factory in Castlecliff.^[3] The line was subsequently upgraded and reopened in 2011.^[17]