International Railroad Discussion > More from Kiwiland

Thanks to all who have replied and/or contributed photos. That's what makes this all fun.

The Coastal Pacific climbs into the hills after Blenheim but further south it lives up to its name. I thought this was one of the most enjoyable segments of our New Zealand train riding. The Sauvignon Blanc from the buffet car certainly didn't hurt either.

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Retrieving gear from the luggage van.

I wonder if this guy remembers the steam trains?

The current Christchurch station, since 1993. It is actually in the close-in suburb of Addington. The previous station was more centrally located. It suffered earthquake damage in 2010/11 and has since been razed.

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Inside the station.

The TranzAlpine for Greymouth prepares to depart.

The area was known as Tower Junction, for the steam era water tower.

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Plaque from a NZR steam locomotive.

On the way to Greymouth.

The open air observation was popular, if a bit chilly.

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Arthur's Pass station, about mid way between Christchurch and Greymouth. This is the last station before entering the Otira tunnel. The tunnel was began in 1907 and not completed until 1923. It is 5.3 miles long on a three percent ascending eastbound grade.

A painting in the station of one of the electric locomotives once used. The electrification was removed 1993.

Preparing for departure, note the sign on the signal mast.

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A partially restored signal box in Greymouth. I don't believe it is in it's original location.

What's up?

A heritage railway starter kit.

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Latebeans Wrote:
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>
> The current Christchurch station, since 1993. It
> is actually in the close-in suburb of Addington.
> The previous station was more centrally located.
> It suffered earthquake damage in 2010/11 and has
> since been razed.

Late,

Sorry to hear the Christchurch station is now gone. I was invited to the roof top during the NZR 125 celebration. I was a wonderful view of the proceedings.

J.

J.Ferris Wrote:
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> Latebeans Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > The current Christchurch station, since 1993.
> It
> > is actually in the close-in suburb of Addington.
>
> > The previous station was more centrally located.
>
> > It suffered earthquake damage in 2010/11 and
> has
> > since been razed.
>
> Late,
>
> Sorry to hear the Christchurch station is now
> gone. I was invited to the roof top during the NZR
> 125 celebration. I was a wonderful view of the
> proceedings.
>
> J.


The centre of Christchurch suffered a lot of damage from the earthquakes.
Most of the older buildings suffered moderate to severe damage.

One of the interesting things we encountered on the TranzAlpine was the addition of 3 diesels to the rear of the train at Arthur's Pass.

I asked the Cafe Car attendant (seen here in the picture after she helped make the joint and hooked up cables) why this was being done. She said that they have had problems with the tunnel collapsing due to earthquakes. Last year the tunnel was closed for some time due to one of these collapses. The three diesels on the rear are "rescue" locomotives that can pull the train out of the tunnel in the event the train encounters a problem.

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Another rail-related item we came across on our trip around New Zealand last month was the Steampunk Headquarters in Oamaru on the east side of the southern island.

They had an interesting steam locomotive stuffed and mounted out front (should make the preservationists happy!).

Complete with a screw, rocket launchers, exhaust manifold, harpoons, etc.

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When I went to NZ two years ago, they only had the new Kiwi-built coaches on the Picton - Christchurch line, the others had the old coaches. The difference was huge. The old cars were noiser, rougher riding and required a lot of door opening and closing to go between cars. Although the observation car at the rear end of the Auckland -> Wellington leg was quite nice. (pic attached) I rode it through the Raurimu Spiral. The picture was taken at National Park after everyone had gotten off, it was of course quite full most of the time.

Mainline Steam NZ ended up buying a bunch of the old coaches for steam excursions.

For my train journeys, a friend of a friend loaned me a most brilliant guide, The New Zealand Railway and Tramway Atlas. It basically showed every old branch line and industry siding there ever was on the rail system. So as you went through different areas you could see what was once serviced there. A lot of history all on hand drawn maps. They are quite hard to come by now. He managed to secure me a copy to keep after I went home and it is now on my shelf. Here is a picture of the section around the spiral for example.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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And a few more....

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Thanks for the additional photos!

I was unaware that the was a Steampunk Headquaters. Looks like a fascinating place to visit.

Also, I love elderly gentleman in photo five. He has one of those faces and a build that I have seen at many places in my travels over time.

Cheers,
Jack

I'm sorry I missed this on my visit. Maybe this is the technology we're looking for to finally get train service back to Las Vegas.

Harlock Wrote:
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> When I went to NZ two years ago, they only had the
> new Kiwi-built coaches on the Picton -
> Christchurch line, the others had the old coaches.
> The difference was huge. The old cars were
> noiser, rougher riding and required a lot of door
> opening and closing to go between cars. Although
> the observation car at the rear end of the
> Auckland -> Wellington leg was quite nice. (pic
> attached) I rode it through the Raurimu Spiral.
> The picture was taken at National Park after
> everyone had gotten off, it was of course quite
> full most of the time.
>


> Mainline Steam NZ ended up buying a bunch of the
> old coaches for steam excursions.
>
> For my train journeys, a friend of a friend loaned
> me a most brilliant guide, The New Zealand Railway
> and Tramway Atlas. It basically showed every old
> branch line and industry siding there ever was on
> the rail system. So as you went through different
> areas you could see what was once serviced there.
> A lot of history all on hand drawn maps. They are
> quite hard to come by now. He managed to secure
> me a copy to keep after I went home and it is now
> on my shelf. Here is a picture of the section
> around the spiral for example.

Curious about the rear facing observation car. When I rode the Wellington-Auckland segment in October this car wasn't on the train. Is it normally

Adam