From 5 September 2006 services on the branch (named the Castlecliff Industrial Line) were suspended but the infrastructure remained in place.

This line was intended to link the ports of Wanganui and Foxton with the Manawatu hinterland and form part of a trunk route from Wellington to Taranaki.

This led to the formation of the "Wanganui Heads Railway Company" (WHRC) to provide a direct rail link to the port.

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.

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.

[11] However, competition from the tramways became too strong and passenger services were withdrawn in April 1932, the line remaining open for goods only.

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.

[13] Steam locomotives worked freight services on the Castlecliff Branch into the 1960s, including members of the WW class.