[Singel]

I have taken a 12-hour train from Toronto to New York and enjoyed it very much.

In NZ, I was looking forward to take the Overlander from Auckland to Wellington but bad news had dashed my dream :wah http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/s...jectid=10393040

It is ashamed that train travel like this is going to be history.............. (write up from Tranzscenic)

The Overlander is a journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland - New Zealand’s largest city and home of the Sky Tower, to Wellington - New Zealand’s arts and culture capital. Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune, popular with young and old alike. You also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges – all from our panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views.

All carriages feature large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. The Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge style seating. The lounge style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique Overlander experience.

The Overlander departs Auckland and Wellington daily. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer trip, tour New Zealand's North Island by rail and see it all while you sit back and relax.

http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/services/overlander.aspx


:roll :uhoh

[Singel]

Kat, I try to move your response here :

yeah for all their quaint words on their website, they are just after the big buck...and they don't give a monkeys brass balls whether the little towns on the trains routes turn into ghost towns.
There you go, conglomerate companys at their best. I better get booked on the alpine train before they cancel that one!

[Diny]

I've been on the overlander between Auckland and Palmerston North. It is a fantastic journey.

I've done the 3 day East to West journey on the Indian Pacific in oz too - but the Overlander beats that hands down.

We did the journey about 3 years ago - just me and 2 small kids. They loved every minute of the ride - never got bored. One of the best things was the way the conductor kept coming over the tannoy telling us to look at various things we were passing ...... at one stage he even told us to look at bird in a tree. The train doesn't go very fast so you get to see everything.

Diny

[jdbob]

I saw that too. I was planning on taking it from Auckland to Palmerston North in November but I guess I'll have to fly both ways.

I can see why it wouldn't have much of a market though with an average speed of only 55km/hour. That's even worse than Amtrak :wah

[Diny]

I can see why it wouldn't have much of a market though with an average speed of only 55km/hour. That's even worse than Amtrak :wah


Have to admit, the day we did the journey there were a total of about 18 passengers.

[Singel]

Let's hope that the Overlander could be saved............... keep fingers-X :nice1 :nice1

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10393575

:yes

[katandbob]

lets hope that they win a reprive, I was hoping to take the train with the Kids some time in the next year, specially with Cole, little kids love trains!

and I agree, if AIR NZ get subsidys, so should the Overlander, and the Alpine Express, after all they offer tourists a SAFE alternative to driving along those routes...keeping the roads less crowded...can you imagine the increase in hire cars in the summer on the roads!

[Singel]

The Herald on Sunday (31 July 2006) mentioned...............

The pace of modern life makes it hard to justify spending 12 hours on a trip that takes only an hour by air, particularly when it costs more by rail. But to judge the matter entirely by the criterion of efficiency is to ignore what is lost.

The passenger rail link, which would have marked its centenary in 2009, is part of our shared history - most memorably and tragically for the Tangiwai disaster of Christmas Eve, 1953 which claimed 151 lives.

The main truck line was the making of much of the country too, responsible for the creation of many of the communities through which it passed. When road travel was either a luxury or an impossibility, the rail link enabled the settlement of the Central Plateu and ensured that new communities, though remote, were not isolated.




What ashame if NZ lost this part of the history and heritage :(

[Nienke]

Yes, it would be a shame! We were wanting to make that trip sometime this year as well. Now we have to see if we can get that done before the end of september.

[Marie P]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10403445

[Smiler]

YAY! Just heard this on the news. Doing the Tranzcoastal soon too. :raebanana:raebanana

[Singel]

This is brilliant news :clap

Now, I could go to Wellington by train......................... YIPEEEEEE :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

[jdbob]

I have to wonder if Toll was playing a game of "chicken" with government and never intended to stop it, just to see if they could get a subsidy if they threatened to stop it.

[Jules]

We are travelling to Wellington on the Overlander this weekend. We pick the train up on Friday from Hamilton at 10.10am and get into Wellington at about 7.30pm, we are staying 2 nights in Wellington, then catching the train back on Sunday morning. Cant wait, so excited, just hope the weather is ok.

Hopefully put some pics on next week.

Jules :)

[Diny]

Jules ... I'm sure you'll love it. It's a magical journey, you see so much - and very comfy too.

My kids were 7 & 8 when they made the joureny, it took 9 hours and I was worried they would get bored ... they loved every moment of it and would love to go on it again.

Have fun !!!

Diny

[oldtimbo]

My Dad and his better half took the train from hamilton to Wellington when they visited in January. They had to book in advance, and on the day, it was carrying a full pay load.
They enjoyed the journey, but had a few problems with minor issues such as the coffee being served in paper cups and having to try and set up the table without ending up with a lap full of hot water. this happened to dad twice, the poor old thing.
I believe the fare was around the $99 each way mark. Very good value according to the folk.