Good to see the Overlander train continuing but in a much more reduced service.
Other passenger services did not suffer such fate, ie. the Southerner, the Northerner, the Hawkes Bay train and the SilverFern Services to Rotorua and Tauranga.
No initiatives were used to continue these services, even though they were 'recently' introduced.
There was mention of running the Silver Fern railcars between Chch and Dunedin but nothing came of it.
The only future of passenger trains in NZ is of the novelty kind ie. Taieri Gorge type of trains hauled by vintage diesel locomotives or steam engines, although the recent Saturday steam trains to Arthurs Pass used Trans Scenic carriages.
JohnGaul
NZTS
Trains
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GraemeWi
- Posts: 1012
- Joined: Sun 30/03/2003 18:28
- Location: Hobsonville Point, Auckland
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KiwiWeather
- Posts: 403
- Joined: Wed 01/02/2006 15:58
- Location: South Auckland - NZ
I always wonder why rail travel and tourism is not promoted in NZ.
We do indeed have one of the most picturesque countries in the world and one of the WORST rail systems and patronage.
Has Air NZ got anything to do with this?
People are forced to fly to destinations they might otherwise enjoy a train ride.
We do indeed have one of the most picturesque countries in the world and one of the WORST rail systems and patronage.
Has Air NZ got anything to do with this?
People are forced to fly to destinations they might otherwise enjoy a train ride.
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RODALCO
- Posts: 370
- Joined: Fri 12/01/2007 17:21
- Location: Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
Train trips in NZ
It is a pity that regular train travel is not better promoted in New Zealand.
I have done Auckland Invercargill 3 times in the early 90's prior to the cancellation of the Southener.
The Tranz alpine, CHCH - Greymouth is a must for any local and traveller.
The trip Palmerston Napier is great but unfortunately history now.
Same applies for the Auckland to Tauranga and the Auckland to Rotoroa services which were cancelled because of lack of patronnage.
You have probably worked out by now that i'm a train buff and enjoyed those trips.
Occasionally there are special operators like R.E.S. Auckland who run special trips with steam or diesel to certain locations.
Now these days i take a dayrover ticket every 2 or 3 months, and take my two kids and myself out for a day on the tracks between Waitakere and Pukekohe. Great fun to do 8 or 9 hours in push - pull commuter trains or railcars for only 20 bucks !
The best ones are the old ADK cars with the sliding windows which run at peak times between Auckland and Papakura.
edited for typo's
I have done Auckland Invercargill 3 times in the early 90's prior to the cancellation of the Southener.
The Tranz alpine, CHCH - Greymouth is a must for any local and traveller.
The trip Palmerston Napier is great but unfortunately history now.
Same applies for the Auckland to Tauranga and the Auckland to Rotoroa services which were cancelled because of lack of patronnage.
You have probably worked out by now that i'm a train buff and enjoyed those trips.
Occasionally there are special operators like R.E.S. Auckland who run special trips with steam or diesel to certain locations.
Now these days i take a dayrover ticket every 2 or 3 months, and take my two kids and myself out for a day on the tracks between Waitakere and Pukekohe. Great fun to do 8 or 9 hours in push - pull commuter trains or railcars for only 20 bucks !
The best ones are the old ADK cars with the sliding windows which run at peak times between Auckland and Papakura.
edited for typo's
Who put the LED's on the lightning arrestor ?
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tich
- Posts: 3525
- Joined: Sat 15/03/2003 18:32
- Location: Christchurch (St Albans)/Akaroa
I'm travelling up to Auckland later this month. From Wellington to Auckland, I'll be taking the bus. (I don't have a car) The Intercity service costs me about $70. I would rather have gone by train - I saw a special deal for the Overlander online, but this 'special' was $99 for Wellington to Auckland.
I think many more people would travel by rail if: 1. there were budget services that compare favourably with bus fares, and 2. for for expensive services, there were extras for customers, eg high class restaruant style meals and extra comfy seats.
Attractive and well serviced railway stations would also help. Dunedin's one is great, and Chch's current one is a lot better than the previous station. However, I remember the long terminated Geyserland service - Rotorua's railway terminal (no more than an industrial yard) was a disgrace, especially for a city dependent on the tourist dollar.
I think many more people would travel by rail if: 1. there were budget services that compare favourably with bus fares, and 2. for for expensive services, there were extras for customers, eg high class restaruant style meals and extra comfy seats.
Attractive and well serviced railway stations would also help. Dunedin's one is great, and Chch's current one is a lot better than the previous station. However, I remember the long terminated Geyserland service - Rotorua's railway terminal (no more than an industrial yard) was a disgrace, especially for a city dependent on the tourist dollar.