TranzCoastal
Encyclopedia
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The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train between Picton
and Christchurch
in the South Island
of New Zealand
, operated by Tranz Scenic
. It was known as the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until being temporarily withdrawn in February 2011.
s and the Culverden Express
. On 15 December 1945, the Main North Line was completed and the Picton Express
began operating, providing a direct daily service between Picton and Christchurch. In January 1946, the Picton Express was cut to operate thrice weekly, and its popularity and profitability declined. In February 1956 the Picton Express was replaced by a more frequent railcar
service, utilising RM class
88-seaters
. When these railcars wore out in the 1970s, carriage trains were re-introduced to the route. These were sometimes known as the Picton Express.
In April 2006, Toll NZ
announced its intention to sell the TranzCoastal and the TranzAlpine
. However with the purchase of Toll NZ's rail assets in 2008 by the government, these plans never came to fruition. KiwiRail
has signaled its intention to upgrade the remaining three long-distance passenger services.
Following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on February 22 KiwiRail suspended the TranzCoastal service, later announcing that it would return on 15 August 2011 under its original name, the Coastal Pacific. It was replaced by a substitute bus service, which was withdrawn on 10 April.
The service runs daily between Christchurch
and Picton
, stopping enroute for passengers at Rangiora, Waipara
, Mina, Kaikoura
, Seddon
and Blenheim
, along the Main North Line. It was introduced on Sunday, 25 September 1988 and took 5 hours 20 minutes. In the present timetable the northbound journey takes 5 hours 13 minutes, the southbound 5 hours 21 minutes.
es shared a pool of 12 former second class NZR 56-foot carriage
s and guard's vans with six 50-ft wooden box wagons/parcel vans. All these cars and wagons were painted bright red and had wall-to-wall carpet, fluorescent strip lights and later, a new design of seat from Addington Workshops. Cars with luggage space seated 46, passenger-only cars seated 52.
During 1984-1985, while the red Picton/Greymouth cars were being fitted with new seats, three Southerner cars and a modular van for baggage were used on this train.
trains, cars were reallocated and refurbished to cover this.
With this change, the last three original Southerner day cars remaining were refurbished to the same design as the three "big window" cars on the TranzAlpine and the sole Connoisseur
car. Two cars seated 51 each in the seats designed by Addington Workshops
, which were reupholstered and re-arranged, alcove-style, around tables. The third car became a 31-seat servery/observation car fitted out similarly to its TranzAlpine counterpart, but with detail differences in the buffet counter area. A Mitsubishi
- built modular van was fitted with an 11-kW petrol generator at the handbrake end for power/baggage duties.
The new train became a favourite with rail travelers, but it did not quite attract the same level of popularity as the TranzAlpine. In 1993, a "backpackers" car (a former red Picton - Greymouth car with luggage space at one end) was introduced, for train travelers looking for a cheaper option. This premise proved popular, as did adding up to five wagons authorised to travel at 100 km/h conveying priority freight for the North Island or deep South.
In the early 1990s, the panorama cars were equipped with pressure ventilation like the Bay Express
cars and the TranzAlpine rear observation car.
first class car refurbished in 1970 for the Southerner and attached it to the Picton train initially, before expanding its operation to Greymouth and later Invercargill. It was marketed as a luxury carriage: it offered the same level of comfort as other Southerner cars, but the service was to a higher standard. Originally named the Connoisseurs' Express
car, it was heavily refurbished to offer a superior quality service and renamed The Connoisseur car.
During 1996, the original TranzAlpine observation car was thoroughly overhauled and air-conditioning installed, and this car, along with the two former Lynx Express
cars and the car with luggage space, were permanently assigned to this train. The backpackers' car was later replaced by the only former Southerner (later Northerner) car to escape rebuilding as a panorama car or scrapping. It was fitted out with 47 of the same type of Addington seat that it had had in the mid to late 1980s, all seats facing toward the two centre tables, one on both sides of the aisle of the car, and became the new backpackers' car. The former Connoisseur car, thoroughly refurbished the year before with air conditioning installed, assumed regular duty on this service. The Lynx Express baggage van, and later the first of the NIMT baggage vans were also permanently allocated to this service. Later, the second backpacker car had air conditioning installed, then, in late 2003, was transferred north for use on the Overlander or Wairarapa Connection services. It never returned.
The baggage van fitted out for the initial third NIMT passenger trainset in 1992 had its central and one end module converted into an open viewing area, while the other end module remained for luggage.
. The new cars for the Coastal Pacific entered service toward the end of 2011, and it is expected the new cars for the Tranz Alpine will enter service in 2012.
The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train between Picton
Picton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
and Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, 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...
. It was known as the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until being temporarily withdrawn in February 2011.
History
Before the Main North Line was completed, the open sections were served by mixed trainMixed train
A mixed train is a train that hauls both passenger and freight cars or wagons. In the early days of railways they were quite common, but by the 20th century they were largely confined to branch lines with little traffic. As the trains provided passengers with very slow service, mixed trains have...
s and the Culverden Express
Culverden Express
The Culverden Express was a passenger train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between Christchurch and Culverden. It ran from 1886 until its replacement by the Picton Express in 1945 and its route followed both the Main North Line and the Waiau Branch...
. On 15 December 1945, the Main North Line was completed and the Picton Express
Picton Express
The Picton Express was a passenger express train operated by the New Zealand Railways Department between Christchurch and Picton. It ran from December 1945 until February 1956, and was thus the shortest-lived provincial express in New Zealand.- Introduction :...
began operating, providing a direct daily service between Picton and Christchurch. In January 1946, the Picton Express was cut to operate thrice weekly, and its popularity and profitability declined. In February 1956 the Picton Express was replaced by a more frequent railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
service, utilising RM class
NZR RM class
The RM class is the classification used by the New Zealand Railways Department and its successors given to most railcars and railbuses that have operated on New Zealand's national rail network. As NZR and its successors has operated many diverse types of railcars, alternate names have been given...
88-seaters
NZR RM class (88 seater)
The NZR RM class 88-seaters were a class of railcar used in New Zealand, known unofficially as 'articulateds', 'twinsets', 'Drewrys' and 'Fiats'. They were purchased to replace steam-hauled provincial passenger trains and mixed trains...
. When these railcars wore out in the 1970s, carriage trains were re-introduced to the route. These were sometimes known as the Picton Express.
In April 2006, Toll NZ
Toll NZ
Toll Group Limited is a New Zealand trucking company. A subsidiary of the Australian company Toll Holdings, it has its headquarters in Auckland. It carries out operations by road and in the air, and formerly by rail and sea....
announced its intention to sell the TranzCoastal and the TranzAlpine
TranzAlpine
The TranzAlpine Express is a passenger train operated by Tranz Scenic in the South Island of New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes . The journey is one-way, taking about four and a half hours...
. However with the purchase of Toll NZ's rail assets in 2008 by the government, these plans never came to fruition. KiwiRail
KiwiRail
KiwiRail Holdings Limited is the rail operations subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, which trades as KiwiRail. Headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. Since July 2010 John Spencer has been the Chairman...
has signaled its intention to upgrade the remaining three long-distance passenger services.
Following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on February 22 KiwiRail suspended the TranzCoastal service, later announcing that it would return on 15 August 2011 under its original name, the Coastal Pacific. It was replaced by a substitute bus service, which was withdrawn on 10 April.
Route and Stations
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and Picton
Picton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
, stopping enroute for passengers at Rangiora, Waipara
Waipara
Waipara is a small town in north Canterbury, on the banks of the Waipara River.It is at the junction of State Highways 1 and 7 60 kilometres north of Christchurch...
, Mina, Kaikoura
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1 180 km north of Christchurch.Kaikoura became the first local authority to reach the Green Globe tourism certification standard....
, Seddon
Seddon, New Zealand
Seddon is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, 25 kilometres south of Blenheim and 20 km north of Ward...
and Blenheim
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
, along the Main North Line. It was introduced on Sunday, 25 September 1988 and took 5 hours 20 minutes. In the present timetable the northbound journey takes 5 hours 13 minutes, the southbound 5 hours 21 minutes.
Rolling stock
From 1982 until 1988 the Picton Express and the Greymouth and West Coast ExpressTranzAlpine
The TranzAlpine Express is a passenger train operated by Tranz Scenic in the South Island of New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes . The journey is one-way, taking about four and a half hours...
es shared a pool of 12 former second class NZR 56-foot carriage
NZR 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 and guard's vans with six 50-ft wooden box wagons/parcel vans. All these cars and wagons were painted bright red and had wall-to-wall carpet, fluorescent strip lights and later, a new design of seat from Addington Workshops. Cars with luggage space seated 46, passenger-only cars seated 52.
During 1984-1985, while the red Picton/Greymouth cars were being fitted with new seats, three Southerner cars and a modular van for baggage were used on this train.
Refurbishment of service
In 1987, due to the need to re-equip the deteriorating yellow NorthernerNortherner (train)
The Northerner was an overnight passenger train between Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand. Originally numbered 227 southbound and 626 northbound, it replaced the unnamed and less revered ordinary express trains supplementing the luxurious Silver Star , which had replaced the Night Limited in...
trains, cars were reallocated and refurbished to cover this.
With this change, the last three original Southerner day cars remaining were refurbished to the same design as the three "big window" cars on the TranzAlpine and the sole Connoisseur
The Connoisseur car
The Connoisseur cars were special railway carriages that were used in the consist of a number of passenger trains in New Zealand.- Inception :...
car. Two cars seated 51 each in the seats designed by Addington Workshops
Addington Workshops
The Addington Railway Workshops was a major railway facility established in the Christchurch suburb of Addington in May 1880 by the New Zealand Railways Department. The workshops were previously in Carlyle Street and closed in 1990.-Description:...
, which were reupholstered and re-arranged, alcove-style, around tables. The third car became a 31-seat servery/observation car fitted out similarly to its TranzAlpine counterpart, but with detail differences in the buffet counter area. A Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
- built modular van was fitted with an 11-kW petrol generator at the handbrake end for power/baggage duties.
The new train became a favourite with rail travelers, but it did not quite attract the same level of popularity as the TranzAlpine. In 1993, a "backpackers" car (a former red Picton - Greymouth car with luggage space at one end) was introduced, for train travelers looking for a cheaper option. This premise proved popular, as did adding up to five wagons authorised to travel at 100 km/h conveying priority freight for the North Island or deep South.
In the early 1990s, the panorama cars were equipped with pressure ventilation like the Bay Express
Bay Express (train)
The Bay Express was a passenger train between Wellington and Napier in New Zealand's North Island, operating from Monday, 11 December 1989 until Sunday, 7 October 2001. It was operated by New Zealand Railways, later Tranz Scenic.- Introduction:...
cars and the TranzAlpine rear observation car.
Connoisseur Service
On Monday, January 19, 1987 a private tourism firm leased a 29 (later 45) seat single-lavatory South Island Main TrunkSouth Island Main Trunk Railway
The Main North Line between Picton and Christchurch and the Main South Line between Lyttelton and Invercargill, running down the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, are sometimes together referred to as the South Island Main Trunk Railway...
first class car refurbished in 1970 for the Southerner and attached it to the Picton train initially, before expanding its operation to Greymouth and later Invercargill. It was marketed as a luxury carriage: it offered the same level of comfort as other Southerner cars, but the service was to a higher standard. Originally named the Connoisseurs' Express
The Connoisseur car
The Connoisseur cars were special railway carriages that were used in the consist of a number of passenger trains in New Zealand.- Inception :...
car, it was heavily refurbished to offer a superior quality service and renamed The Connoisseur car.
Rebranding and re-equipping
Lynx Express (train)
The Lynx Express was a long-distance passenger train in the South Island of New Zealand that ran the length of the Main North Line between Picton and Christchurch...
cars and the car with luggage space, were permanently assigned to this train. The backpackers' car was later replaced by the only former Southerner (later Northerner) car to escape rebuilding as a panorama car or scrapping. It was fitted out with 47 of the same type of Addington seat that it had had in the mid to late 1980s, all seats facing toward the two centre tables, one on both sides of the aisle of the car, and became the new backpackers' car. The former Connoisseur car, thoroughly refurbished the year before with air conditioning installed, assumed regular duty on this service. The Lynx Express baggage van, and later the first of the NIMT baggage vans were also permanently allocated to this service. Later, the second backpacker car had air conditioning installed, then, in late 2003, was transferred north for use on the Overlander or Wairarapa Connection services. It never returned.
The baggage van fitted out for the initial third NIMT passenger trainset in 1992 had its central and one end module converted into an open viewing area, while the other end module remained for luggage.
New rolling stock
At KiwiRail's Hillside Railway Workshops, building has commenced on new carriages for the Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine services, classed AKNZR class AK carriage
The NZR AK class of 17 carriages is currently being built in Dunedin's Hillside Workshops for KiwiRail's long distance passenger operator, Tranz Scenic. The three buffet cars will be classified AKC...
. The new cars for the Coastal Pacific entered service toward the end of 2011, and it is expected the new cars for the Tranz Alpine will enter service in 2012.
External links
- Official page of the Coastal Pacific |page= |pages= |at= |accessdate= |language= |trans_title= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |deadurl= |ref=}}