Rail travellers a dying breed

looks like the overlander wont be saved .
even worst news is that it looks like the napier - gisborne line is under threat as well .

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/835776

link to video on this article as well .

David Benton wrote:looks like the overlander wont be saved .
even worst news is that it looks like the napier - gisborne line is under threat as well .

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/835776

link to video on this article as well .

I note this other story about a possible tourist train (higher fares and not every day)
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425824/835915

yeah , the future outlook for some kind of service on this line is not so bleak .
In alot of ways the overlander is a victim of bad timing , the carriages are clapped out , with no replacements readily avaliable . toll also needs the bogies for some commuter carriages its building , which seems very short sighted .
and theres ongoing wrangling between toll and the government over access charges for the main trunk .removing passenger trains removes one complication in those negotiations .
But still a sad day coming up this saturday .

Freight line to close

http://www.telstra.co.nz/newsfeed/news_ ... ?id=109424

looks like this train has nine lives .

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29497

David Benton wrote:looks like this train has nine lives .

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29497

No mention of NZ there.

oops , sorry , wrong link .

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story ... d=10403153

cynical side of me thinks toll reliases they are losing a bargaining tool if they stop the overlander .

overlander to continue running .

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story ... D=10403445

Good news , but again the cynical side of me notes that 3 times a week is the minimum service to stop the line been opened to competition .

an unfortunate occurance for the people of Ohakune .

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/index ... id=1501099

george matthews wrote:Freight line to close

http://www.telstra.co.nz/newsfeed/news_ ... ?id=109424

this line is been kept in service because of the large pine forests surrounding it . They will reach maturity in a few years . The road between Napier and gisborne is very steep and windy , names such as devils elbow indicate this . i was made enough to cycle it 20 years ago .
I don't know what happened first , but barging is now been touted as an option for keeping the logs off the road . they will have to set up barge facilities anyway , as alot of the forest is north of Gisborne , with no railway . biggest obstacle to setting up the barging operation , theres no pool of nz seamen left , most ships operate with asian crews , so its difficult to crew a national run . Theyre talking about bringing seamen in from England !

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/838470

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story ... D=10403578

Tranz Scenic Media Release

5 October 2006

TRANZ SCENIC LAUNCHES STRAIGHT INTO OVERLANDER AD CAMPAIGN

Tranz Scenic has launched a new press advertising campaign this week,
promoting the Overlander train service operating between Wellington
and Auckland.

The new 3 day a week service starts tomorrow with the train fully
booked both ways and Tranz Scenic is delighted at the support being
shown and looks forward to that continuing.

The train will return to 7 days a week in time for the busy summer
season and in the meantime work will be carried out on refurbishing
the carriages.

Tranz Scenic is also looking forward to working with the regions
along the route to take up their offer of marketing assistance. In
the meantime the company wants to show it has listened to New Zealand
and they are sure people will like the advertisements that have been
placed nationwide.


TS Spcial Fare Offer:

" All aboard, the Overlander is back. It's now running Friday,
Saturday and Sunday until 15 December and then daily throughout
summer. We even have a special ticket price to celebrate: only $89*
each way for the stunning trip between Auckland and Wellington. Simply
book and travel before 30 November for this exceptional offer. Make a
memorable weekend of it and visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz or call 0800
TRAINS (872 467) to book your ticket now.
*Saver fare terms and conditions apply

future of rail .
http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,210 ... 96,00.html

David Benton wrote:The comparative London- Edinburgh train, full price, for example, is $440.

I wonder how many people pay that amount? There are many cheaper fares, if booked earlier.

Thats probably the maximum fare . converts to around 154 pounds.
I think what he trying to show is people will pay more for good rail service .
Interesting comparison in some ways , as if the overlander gets new carriages , theyre likely to be rebuilt BR MKll carriages .
In the meantime , i presume the reduced service means they can use 2 trainsets instead of 3 , and the 3rd set is undergoing a spruce up . Its bogies will also be used for the first set of new commuter carriages , while new ones are sourced for those carriages . The bogies will then be returned to the third overlander train set . talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul , there was even talk of changing bogies form the commuter train to the overlander on friday night , then back to the commuter train sunday night in time for monday mornings commuter run !