KiwiRail Scenic Journeys

KiwiRail Scenic Journeys
Brand
Industry Rail transport in New Zealand
Founded 1987 (as InterCity Rail)
Headquarters Wellington, New Zealand
Area served
 New Zealand
Services Long-distance passenger trains
Parent KiwiRail (2011 - present)
Website http://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/
KiwiRail passenger trains
Interactive Map
  Northern Explorer
  Capital Connection
  Coastal Pacific
  TranzAlpine

Now called The Great Journeys of New Zealand, KiwiRail Scenic Journeys is the former long-distance passenger train brand of KiwiRail, previously Tranz Scenic (1995—2011) and InterCity Rail (1987—1995).

History

Former logo of Tranz Scenic, 1995-2011.

The first branding of long-distance trains was as InterCity Rail, in 1987, renamed Tranz Scenic in 1995.

As part of a restructuring programme, in November 2001 Tranz Scenic was incorporated as stand-alone subsidiary Tranz Scenic (2001) Ltd. Tranz Rail sold 50% of Tranz Scenic to two directors of the Victoria, Australia, rail operator West Coast Railway for $33 million.[1] The sale included long-distance passenger rolling stock and ten diesel locomotives of the DC class (reclassified DCP), and two EF class electric locomotives. Tranz Rail was taken over by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings in 2003, and in July 2004 the 50% share of Tranz Scenic was purchased by Toll, as one of the West Coast Railway directors had died and the business was not performing adequately.[2]

In July 2012 it was revealed that KiwiRail was considering selling the remaining services.[3] However, no buyers were found and the long-distance passenger services remain operated by Tranz Scenic.

In 2017, the KiwiRail Scenic Journeys brand was renamed The Great Journeys of New Zealand and KiwiRail's passenger ferry brand, Interislander, was added to its services.

Services

The Northern Explorer about to depart from Wellington railway station with new AK class carriages.
DCP 4761 in Tranz Scenic livery hauling the TranzAlpine

KiwiRail Scenic operates four scheduled trains:

Line Frequency (each way) Calling at Notes
Capital Connection Daily (Mon-Fri) Palmerston North, Shannon, Levin, Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Wellington
Coastal Pacific Daily (summer only) Picton, Blenheim, Seddon, Kaikoura, Waipara, Rangiora, Christchurch Suspended from November 2016 as a result of significant line damage from the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
Northern Explorer 3 per week Auckland Strand, Papakura, Hamilton, Otorohanga, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Wellington
TranzAlpine Daily Christchurch, Rolleston, Darfield, Springfield, Arthur's Pass, Otira, Moana, Kokiri, Greymouth

KiwiRail trialled excursions with its refurbished Silver Fern railcar to destinations including Napier and on the now mothballed Gisborne line as part of its Explore By Rail trips. Other Silver Fern tours included a Queen's Birthday day tour to Napier, tours to the Tui brewery via the Manawatu Gorge, an Easter Weekend trip to Gisborne, Valentine's Weekend and ANZAC Weekend tours to the central North Island. These excursions have been discontinued as of 2017.

Livery

The Overlander hauled by an EF class electric locomotive near Waiouru on the North Island Main Trunk.

The Tranz Scenic brand and blue livery has been replaced by white KiwiRail livery with the introduction of AK carriages on the Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine and Northern Explorer.[4]

Former trains

In 2004 Tranz Scenic withdrew the Northerner overnight Auckland – Wellington service, citing poor patronage. This was the last overnight service in New Zealand. Tranz Scenic also reduced the number of stations served by The Overlander service on the North Island Main Trunk.

In April 2006, Toll NZ announced that it was proposing to[5] sell its two South Island trains, the TranzAlpine and the TranzCoastal. In July the end of The Overlander service was announced, but after significant protest and an increase in patronage (due to the publicity) the service continued, operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during winter and daily in high summer. In 2009 a resumption of seven-day-a-week operation was announced, a result of increasing passenger numbers.

However, the Overlander ceased operations in 2012, being superseded by the Northern Explorer service, again on limited days of the week.

Withdrawn 1995

Withdrawn 2001

Withdrawn 2002

Withdrawn 2004

Withdrawn 2012

Rolling stock

New AK class carriages on the Coastal Pacific at Picton.

In March 2009 the New Zealand Government confirmed funding of NZ$39.9 million for 17 AK Class carriages for the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific. The class are the first passenger carriages to be designed and built in New Zealand for many years and were built at KiwiRail's Hillside Workshops in Dunedin, with three cars entering service on the Coastal Pacific on 2 November 2011.[6]

Further AK carriages were deployed on the new Northern Explorer and The TranzAlpine. The Capital Connection uses 1970s built British Rail Mark 2 carriages, refurbished in New Zealand as the S Class.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Auckland rail deal clinched". New Zealand Herald. 24 December 2001. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Toll NZ buys back Tranz Scenic passenger services". 20 May 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Opposition parties criticise TranzScenic plans". Radio New Zealand. 1 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Auckland Trains - New Tranz Carriage Look
  5. ↑ "Tranz Alpine journey up for grabs". One News. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  6. ↑ Palmer, Kloe (3 November 2011). "New carriages debut on South-Island's rails". Christchurch: 3 News. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
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