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Capital Connection (train)
Encyclopedia
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The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter train between Palmerston North
and Wellington
on the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand. It is operated by Tranz Scenic
. Originally named the Cityrail Express with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North - Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides, it started on Monday 15 April 1991.
. In 2001, with the partial sale of Tranz Scenic when Tranz Rail
sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services, it was transferred to Tranz Scenic.
as part of the electrification extension works that the Capital Connection will lose passengers to the Tranz Metro
system, jeopardising its future. Though no major alterations to the service are being planned in the short-term, KiwiRail may consider changes after evaluating what impact the Metro system has on the Capital Connection's patronage.
s: the first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin seat covers. Later, a former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton - Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars.
cars and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power and baggage van, with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and more spacious inside, with more headroom, full air-conditioning, 60 seats per car (31 in the servery car), and twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and airline-style, using their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. The train is usually hauled by either a pair of DC class
locomotives, or a single DFT class
or DX class
locomotive.
They have been repainted from Tranz Scenic standard "Cato blue" into dedicated Capital Connection livery.
The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter train between Palmerston North
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of and is the country's seventh largest city and eighth largest urban area. Palmerston North is located in the eastern Manawatu Plains near the north bank...
and Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
on the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand. It is operated by Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic is the long-distance passenger train brand of KiwiRail, formed from the New Zealand Railways Corporation InterCity Rail services. Tranz Scenic was renamed along with the other operating divisions of Tranz Rail in 1995...
. Originally named the Cityrail Express with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North - Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides, it started on Monday 15 April 1991.
Operator
From 1991 to 2001 the train was operated by CityRail then Tranz MetroTranz Metro
Tranz Metro, part of KiwiRail, is the operator of Metlink suburban trains owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council in the Wellington Region of New Zealand....
. In 2001, with the partial sale of Tranz Scenic when Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services, it was transferred to Tranz Scenic.
Service
The train operates Monday-Friday from Palmerston North to Wellington in the morning, returning in the evening.Weekend services
On Sunday 19 June 1994 a weekend service from Palmerston North to Wellington and return started. The power/baggage van, catering car and former Masterton car turned 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car made up the consist. It attracted minimal patronage and was withdrawn in 1994.Future
Concerns have been raised that once the Wellington metro system is extended north to WaikanaeWaikanae Railway Station
Waikanae Railway Station in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand is the terminal station on the Kapiti Line for Tranz Metro's electric multiple unit commuter trains from Wellington...
as part of the electrification extension works that the Capital Connection will lose passengers to the Tranz Metro
Tranz Metro
Tranz Metro, part of KiwiRail, is the operator of Metlink suburban trains owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council in the Wellington Region of New Zealand....
system, jeopardising its future. Though no major alterations to the service are being planned in the short-term, KiwiRail may consider changes after evaluating what impact the Metro system has on the Capital Connection's patronage.
Rolling stock and motive power
The service began using standard NZR 56-foot carriageNZR 56-foot carriage
The NZR 56-foot carriage is a class of 17.07m-long railway passenger car formerly used on almost all long-distance rail transport in New Zealand, and still in service. Some have been preserved.-1927: Prototypes:...
s: the first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin seat covers. Later, a former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton - Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars.
British Rail carriages
On Monday 15 November 1999 a new train entered service, made up of seven (later eight) British Rail Mark 2NZR British Rail Mark 2 carriage
British Rail Mark 2 carriages used in New Zealand were imported from the United Kingdom and rebuilt/refurbished and re-gauged in New Zealand.The carriages are used on the Capital Connection , owned operated by Tranz Scenic; MAXX commuter trains in Auckland , owned by Auckland Transport and...
cars and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power and baggage van, with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and more spacious inside, with more headroom, full air-conditioning, 60 seats per car (31 in the servery car), and twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and airline-style, using their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. The train is usually hauled by either a pair of DC class
NZR DC class
The NZR DC class locomotive is the most common class of locomotive currently in operation on the New Zealand rail network. Primarily employed to haul freight trains operated by KiwiRail, the class is also used for long-distance passenger trains operated by Tranz Scenic and suburban passenger trains...
locomotives, or a single DFT class
NZR DF class (1979)
The NZR DF class of 1979 is a class of 30 Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives built by General Motors Diesel of Canada between 1979 and 1981. Between 1992 and 1997, all the locomotives were rebuilt as the DFT class, a turbocharged version of the DF....
or DX class
NZR DX class
The NZR DX class is a class of 49 Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives that currently operates on New Zealand's national railway network.Built by General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States, they were introduced to New Zealand between 1972 and 1976. The class is based on the General Electric...
locomotive.
They have been repainted from Tranz Scenic standard "Cato blue" into dedicated Capital Connection livery.
| Class | BR type | Number | Entered Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 2D FO First Open A First Open or FO, is a type of railway carriage used by British Rail. They were first produced as British Railways Mark 1, and subsequently Mark 2, Mark 3, and Mark 4 variants were produced.-Mark 4:... |
3170 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3177 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3184 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3190 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3200 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3207 | |
| S | 2D FO | 3211 | |
| S | 2E FO | 3245 |