by David Benton
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/bu ... r-overhaul
"The Overlander train service is set for an overhaul, complete with new purpose-built carriages and an image rebrand - along with a reduction in services.
Kiwirail has announced sweeping changes to the Overlander service, which it says "does not have big tourist appeal" and is no longer feasible as a domestic service between Wellington and Auckland.
The current service runs each day during the summer, and three times a week during the winter in carriages that date back 60 years. "
Whats happened here , is that the brand new carriages that were destined for south island tourist services , are not needed , due to reduced demand because of the christchurch Earthquake . so they have decided to use the surplus carriages to replace the overlanders 60 year old carriages , that are abit worn out . unfortunatley ,it seems they only have enough for one trainset , hence the decision to run 3 time a week in each direction .
Hopefully the brand new carriages will produce enough demand to justify building another set , and returning to daily operation .
"The Overlander train service is set for an overhaul, complete with new purpose-built carriages and an image rebrand - along with a reduction in services.
Kiwirail has announced sweeping changes to the Overlander service, which it says "does not have big tourist appeal" and is no longer feasible as a domestic service between Wellington and Auckland.
The current service runs each day during the summer, and three times a week during the winter in carriages that date back 60 years. "
Whats happened here , is that the brand new carriages that were destined for south island tourist services , are not needed , due to reduced demand because of the christchurch Earthquake . so they have decided to use the surplus carriages to replace the overlanders 60 year old carriages , that are abit worn out . unfortunatley ,it seems they only have enough for one trainset , hence the decision to run 3 time a week in each direction .
Hopefully the brand new carriages will produce enough demand to justify building another set , and returning to daily operation .
Moderator worldwide railfan , Rail travel & trip reports
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
