Great Journeys New Zealand

Last updated

Great Journeys New Zealand
Type Brand
Industry Rail transport in New Zealand
Founded2017
Headquarters
Wellington
,
New Zealand
Area served
 New Zealand
Services Long-distance passenger trains
Parent KiwiRail (2017–present)
Website https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/
KiwiRail passenger trains Interactive Map .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Northern Explorer Capital Connection Coastal Pacific TranzAlpine KiwiRail passenger train map.png
KiwiRail passenger trains
Interactive Map
  Northern Explorer
  Capital Connection
  Coastal Pacific
  TranzAlpine

Great Journeys New Zealand is the tourism division of KiwiRail that operate its three Scenic train services (TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific). The new division was launched in May 2017 and replaced the former tourism brand KiwiRail Scenic Journeys. [1] It has continuity with the earlier InterCity Rail (1987–1995) and Tranz Scenic (1995–2011).

Contents

History

Former logo of Tranz Scenic, 1995-2011. Tranz scenic logo.PNG
Former logo of Tranz Scenic, 1995–2011.

Passenger trains in New Zealand were operated by the New Zealand Railways Department from 1880 to 1981, alongside private rail operators such as the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. The Department was corporatised as the New Zealand Railways Corporation (NZRC) in 1982, and later reorganised as a state-owned enterprise in 1986. A consulting study commissioned by the NZRC and carried out by Booz Allen Hamilton recommended re-orientation of long-distance passenger services toward tourist operations. [2]

The Fourth Labour Government passed the New Zealand Railways Corporation Restructuring Act 1990 on 28 August of that year. [3] Two months later, on 28 October 1990, the New Zealand government removed core rail transport and shipping operations from the New Zealand Railways Corporation, creating a separate entity called New Zealand Rail Limited, a Crown Transferee company created under the Act. New Zealand Rail Limited's long-distance passenger trains carried the InterCity Rail branding. New Zealand Rail Limited was privatised and sold to a consortium named TranzRail Holdings Limited in 1993 and changed its name to Tranz Rail in 1995. As part of the rebranding exercise, InterCity Rail was renamed Tranz Scenic.

Tranz Scenic (2001) Ltd

As part of a restructuring programme, in November 2001 Tranz Scenic was incorporated as stand-alone subsidiary Tranz Scenic (2001) Limited. Tranz Rail then sold 50% of Tranz Scenic for $33 million to Donald Gibson and Gary McDonald, who were also directors of Australian rail operator West Coast Railway. [4] [5] 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 intended to sell the remaining 50% share in Tranz Scenic, but this sale never eventuated. [6] West Coast Rail withdrew several long-distance trains that were not profitable, retaining the routes that had sufficient passenger numbers (see below).

Tranz Rail was taken over by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings in 2003. The company was renamed Toll NZ and did not retain any of the Tranz Rail directors. 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. [7] In May 2008 the New Zealand Government agreed to buy the rail and sea transport assets of Toll NZ Limited for $665 million. [8] The government branded the new company KiwiRail.

KiwiRail era

Former logo of The Great Journeys of New Zealand, 2017-2022. The-Great-Journeys-of-New-Zealand-Logo--500x116-2.png
Former logo of The Great Journeys of New Zealand, 2017–2022.

In 2011, KiwiRail developed a new brand of passenger trains geared toward the increasing tourism industry in New Zealand. The new brand, named KiwiRail Scenic Journeys, was launched with new AK-class carriages designed to showcase New Zealand's scenery, [9] as well as providing long-distance passenger train services. During the transformation, the TranzCoastal train was rebranded as the Coastal Pacific and the Overlander became the Northern Explorer; whereas the TranzAlpine's name was retained.

In July 2012, it was revealed that KiwiRail was considering selling the remaining services. [10] No buyers were found and the long-distance passenger services remain operated by KiwiRail Scenic Journeys.

Meanwhile, KiwiRail's ferry brand, Interislander, was building on its core business taking vehicles and freight across Cook Strait and looking to promote the trip as an iconic tourism experience and a scenic alternative to flying.

In 2017, KiwiRail decided to bring its rail and ferry operations together under one brand, The Great Journeys of New Zealand, which offers a connected passenger service throughout New Zealand, from Auckland to Greymouth, via train and ferry. The division is now experiencing rapid double-digit annual growth, due to the growth of Chinese tourism to New Zealand, leading KiwiRail to announce that it may purchase eight AK-class carriages to add to the seventeen purchased in 2010. [11]

In 2021, KiwiRail announced the suspension two of its three services, the Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific. KiwiRail restarted the services from September 2022. [12]

Services

Scenic trains

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

The Great Journeys of New Zealand operates three Scenic train services:

LineFrequency (each way)Calling atNotes
Coastal Pacific See notes Picton, Blenheim, Seddon, Kaikōura, Waipara, Rangiora, Christchurch Thursdays to Sundays, then daily 2 February to 30 April 2023. It then next runs on 21 September 2023. [13] Suspended from November 2016 to December 2018 as a result of significant line damage from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake [14] and in 2022 due to COVID. [15]
Northern Explorer Daily (see Notes) Auckland Strand, Papakura, Hamilton, Ōtorohanga, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Wellington Service reinstated recently. [16] Runs southbound from Auckland on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays. Runs northbound from Wellington on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is no service on Tuesdays.
TranzAlpine Daily Christchurch, Rolleston, Darfield, Springfield, Arthur's Pass, Otira, Moana, Kokiri, Greymouth

Capital Connection was also previously part of KiwiRail Scenic Journeys.

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 Manawatū 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.

Cook Strait ferries

Three Cook Strait passenger ferries operate under the brand Interislander:

ImageNameBuiltEntered serviceCapacityNotes
PassengersRoadRail
Aratere.jpg DEV Aratere 19981999600 + 31 crew1050 lane metres420 lane metres (32 wagons)Numbers are post 2011 modifications.
Kaiarahi.jpg MS Kaiarahi 199820155501900nonebuilt 1998 as Dawn Merchant; chartered temporarily by Interislander in 2014 as Stena Alegra while Aratere was out of service, then chartered long-term in 2015 and renamed Kaiarahi
MV Kaitaki, Wellington Harbour.jpg MV Kaitaki 199420051350 + 60 crew1780 lane metres (550 cars)nonebuilt 1994 as Isle of Innisfree; chartered by Interislander in 2005 as Challenger; renamed Kaitaki 2007

KiwiRail Scenic Journeys's former Capital Connection train is not included in the Great Journeys of New Zealand brand. It is, however, operated by KiwiRail and subsidised by the Greater Wellington Regional Council as a long-distance commuter train. [17]

Rolling stock

New AK class carriages on the Coastal Pacific at Picton. Coastal Pacific 01.JPG
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. [18]

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.

Livery

The Overlander hauled by an EF class electric locomotive near Waiouru on the North Island Main Trunk. EF30163+Overlander NearWaiouru 22March2003 JChristianson.jpg
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. [19]

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 sell its two South Island trains, [20] 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

See also

Related Research Articles

Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Limited, was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in New Zealand</span> Overview of rail transport in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NZR RM class (Silver Fern)</span>

The NZR RM class Silver Fern was a class of rail motor in New Zealand. The three air-conditioned and sound-proofed 723-kW 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by Kawasaki under contract with Nissho Iwai of Japan. New Zealand Railways (NZR) classified the railcars as RM (Rail Motor), the same as other railcars, using the Silver Ferns (a national symbol of New Zealand) because of their exterior was made of corrugated stainless steel, like the premier night sleeper train that also ran on the Wellington-Auckland (North Island Main Trunk) route, the Silver Star. The Silver Ferns replaced the three successful Blue Streak railcars on the service.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interislander</span> Ferry service across the Cook Strait

Interislander is a road and rail ferry service across New Zealand's Cook Strait, between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. It is owned and operated by state-owned rail operator KiwiRail. Three roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessels operate the 50-nautical-mile route, taking about three hours to complete the crossing.

<i>TranzAlpine</i> Passenger Train in New Zealand

The TranzAlpine is a passenger train operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail in the South Island of New Zealand over the Midland Line; often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres (139 mi) one-way, taking almost five hours. There are 16 tunnels and four viaducts, with the Staircase Viaduct elevated as much as 75 metres (246 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand DC class locomotive</span>

The New Zealand DC class locomotive is a type of diesel-electric mainline locomotive on the New Zealand rail network, operated by KiwiRail on freight trains, and formerly on long-distance passenger trains. The class was rebuilt from the DA class in the late 1970s and early 1980s, mainly in Australia. After the DA class, they were the most numerous class of diesel locomotive on New Zealand's railway network and remained numerically dominant until the mid-2010s when withdrawals began.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overlander (train)</span> Former long-distance passenger train in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Connection</span> Commuter train operated in New Zealand

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<i>Coastal Pacific</i> Passenger train in New Zealand

The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train that runs between Picton and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. It is operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail. It was called the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn in February 2011. It was the first train to use the new AK class carriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Railways Corporation</span>

New Zealand Railways Corporation (NZRC) is the state-owned enterprise that owns the land beneath KiwiRail's railway network on behalf of the Crown. The Corporation has existed under a number of guises since 1982, when the old New Zealand Railways Department was corporatised followed by deregulation of the land transport sector. In 1986, the Corporation became a State-owned enterprise, required to make a profit. Huge job losses and cutbacks ensued, and the rail network, rail operations and ferry service of the Corporation were transferred to New Zealand Rail Limited in 1990. The Corporation retained ownership of the land beneath the railway network, and charged a nominal rental to New Zealand Rail, which was privatised in 1993, and renamed Tranz Rail in 1995. In 2004, following a deal with Tranz Rail's new owners Toll NZ, the Corporation took over responsibility for maintaining and upgrading the rail network once more, trading under the name ONTRACK. Negotiations with Toll over track access charges concluded after four years with no agreement reached, so the government purchased the entire rail and ferry operations, naming the service KiwiRail. ONTRACK's railway infrastructure and employees were then transferred to KiwiRail in 2008, which itself was initially a subsidiary of the Corporation. On 31 December 2012, the Corporation once again became the landowner.

KiwiRail Holdings Limited is a New Zealand state-owned enterprise (SOE) responsible for rail operations in New Zealand and operates inter-island ferries. Trading as KiwiRail and headquartered at 604 Great South Road, Ellerslie, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. KiwiRail has business units of KiwiRail Freight, Great Journeys New Zealand and Interislander. The company was formed in 2008 when the government renationalised above-rail operations and inter-island ferry operations, then owned by Toll Holdings. In 2021, the government launched the New Zealand Rail Plan, with funding for rail projects to come from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), and with KiwiRail remaining an SOE but paying Track Access Charges (TACs) to use the network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NZR 56-foot carriage</span> Passenger rolling stock in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NZR FM guards van</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriage</span>

The New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriages were built by British Rail Engineering Limited for British Rail in the early 1970s. From the mid-1990s, 150 were exported to New Zealand. After being rebuilt, refurbished and re-gauged, they entered service with a variety of operators on New Zealand's railway network. The carriages generally replaced older NZR 56-foot carriages, some of which had been in use for almost 70 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand AK class carriage</span>

The New Zealand AK class carriage is a type of 17 cars built by Dunedin's Hillside Workshops for KiwiRail's long-distance passenger operation The Great Journeys of New Zealand. Consisting of 11 AK saloon carriages and four AKC café carriages, supplemented by three AKL luggage vans and four AKV open-air viewing/generator vans converted from AG vans, similar to those previously used on the Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine. The AK class are the first new carriages to be built in New Zealand since 1943.

<i>Northern Explorer</i> Long-distance passenger train in New Zealand

The Northern Explorer is a long-distance passenger train operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail between Auckland and Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand, along the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT). Three services operate per week in each direction between Auckland's The Strand Station and Wellington railway station. The Northern Explorer replaced the Overlander from 25 June 2012.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "The Great Journeys of New Zealand launch". Scoop Independent News. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Stott, Bob (1984). "Booz Allen report in summary". Rails: 217.
  3. ↑ "New Zealand Railways Corporation Restructuring Act 1990". Government of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Auckland rail deal clinched". The New Zealand Herald . 24 December 2001. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Clarification From Connex Re: TranzScenic". Scoop. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Behind-the-scenes action at Tranz Scenic". Rails . October 2002. ISSN   0110-6155.
  7. ↑ "Toll NZ buys back Tranz Scenic passenger services". 20 May 2004. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Rail buy back marks new sustainable transport era". 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
  9. ↑ "On Board Our Trains". Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Opposition parties criticise TranzScenic plans". Radio New Zealand. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  11. ↑ "KiwiRail may spend $50M on new carriages". 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "Even Greater Journeys for 2022!". Great Journeys of New Zealand. April 2022. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Coastal Pacific Train". Great Journeys NZ. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  14. ↑ "Kaikoura earthquake rips through New Zealand". The Great Journeys of New Zealand. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  15. ↑ "Project Restart '22". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "Northern Explorer Train". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  17. ↑ "Regional Transport Committee 07 March 2017 PASSENGER RAIL WORKING PARTY UPDATE" (PDF). Horizons Regional Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Palmer, Kloe (3 November 2011). "New carriages debut on South-Island's rails". Christchurch: 3 News. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  19. ↑ "Auckland Trains – New Tranz Carriage Look". Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  20. ↑ "Tranz Alpine journey up for grabs". One News . 22 May 2006. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2011.

Bibliography

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