Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

KiwiRail hails 30 years of TranzAlpine journeys

November marks the 30-year anniversary since the beginning of the TranzAlpine, New Zealand’s tourist passenger train service operating between the east and west of the South Island.

The TranzAlpine travels 223 kilometres (in one direction) in under five hours, and operates daily between Christchurch and Greymouth, via Arthurs Pass.

The train journey has been heralded as among the world’s best by National Geographic and The Travel Luxury Expert. Over 100,000 passengers have taken the trip in the last 12 months.

Peter Reidy, KiwiRail’s chief executive, said that despite coming from “humble beginnings”, the service had become one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions for tourists.

“The idea for the TranzAlpine was born more than 30 years ago, after it became clear how much passengers on our Christchurch-to-Greymouth service enjoyed the scenery on their journey,” Reidy said.”

The first TranzAlpine Express ran on 22 November 1987, featuring refurbished carriages, a buffet service, alcove-style seating, and panoramic windows to allow passengers to soak up the breathtaking scenery as the train travelled across the Canterbury Plains, and through gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River on its approach to towards the Southern Alps.

The train also passes through 16 tunnels, including the 8.5-kilometre Otira Tunnel, and crosses four viaducts, including the 75m Staircase Viaduct.

These days, an open-air platform (added in 1991) is available on the train, and commentary guides passengers through the sites and scenes of the South Island countryside.

“What hasn’t changed is the stunning scenery they pass on their journey, including the Canterbury Plains and their famous ‘braided’ rivers, dramatic gorges and river valleys, High Country sheep stations, beech forests and the Southern Alps themselves,” Reidy said.

Reidy said that TranzAlpine has become an “integral part” of communities such as Greymouth on the South Island’s west coast, and that residents were always welcoming of passengers.

“In return, our train brings valuable tourism dollars to local businesses. We carry around 55,000 passengers a year into Greymouth, and West Coast Tourism estimates that the TranzAlpine brings in excess of $15 million per annum to the region,” he said.

“We invite both returning and new passengers to come and experience the journey for themselves, as we celebrate 30 years of a New Zealand icon.”