New Zealand - Overlander train axed then saved.

[Alan Wickens]

Toll Rail, operator of New Zealand's rail network announced several months ago that its daily Auckland to Wellington daily passenger service (The Overlander) would be axed on 30th September. Poor patronage was cited for the withdrawal. Following much publicity, petitions, Government subsidy requests and the like, Toll decided just two days out from the final service that they would continue the train but on a limited operation. The train will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only and then on a seven day basis from December through the summer tourist season. The train is particularly popular with visitors. The journey of some 660kms takes around twelve hours between the two cities, meandering through the volcanic uplands of the central North Island which is quite spectacular. Besides The Overlander, Toll's only other long-distance passenger trains operate in the South Island, namely The Tranz Coastal (between Picton and Christchurch) and the Tranz Alpine (between Christchurch and Greymouth), the latter being extremely popular with tourists as it travels through the Southern Alps. Definitely one of the great railway journeys of the world.

[Shed Cat]

Originally Posted by Alan Wickens

Definitely one of the great railway journeys of the world.

Another trip for my fantasy wish list, when I retire, become a millionare, or dont have to keep going to the Office anymore Do you have any photos of it, Alan?

[Trev]

That's great news Alan.

I read about the end of the Overlander a few months ago and remember thinking, 'are they mad?'

That's a trip to think about following a lottery win!