Work has begun to remove the overturned wagons of train that derailed east of Te Puke on Sunday morning.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission unfroze the scene around 9.50am today and work was underway to remove the 11 derailed wagons says KiwiRail chief operating officer rail operations Siva Sivapakkiam.

'Yesterday afternoon TAIC gave us permission to take away 17 wagons, which were still on the rails, from the site.”

Wagons from the train derailed around 5.30am on Sunday on the East Coast Main Trunk Line between Te Puke and Te Maunga after heavy rain inundated the area.

The locomotive and many of the wagons did not derail and the two crew members were not injured during the incident, says Sivapakkiam.

'Before we can fully repair the track, our teams need to remove the derailed wagons and their cargo.

'To do this we will today begin making temporary repairs to sections of track that have been washed out by water over the last few days so we can get to the derailed wagons.

'An underground gas line runs through the area, so removing the damaged wagons must be done extremely carefully."

'Once the derailed wagons have been removed we will be able to make a full track inspection and begin repairs that will allow this section of the East Coast Main Trunk Line to reopen.

'Our track teams will be busy as we undertake the various stages of work.”

Sivapakkiam says weather has delayed the initial response to the derailment and the incident investigation, and it could still hinder the recovery response.

'At this stage we are unable to provide a firm timeline for reopening the line.”

KiwiRail and TAIC are undertaking separate investigations into the derailment, says Sivapakkiam.

While the Te Puke and Te Maunga section of the ECMT line is closed the major freight corridor between Tauranga and Hamilton remains open.