 The Coastal Pacific on the Kaikōura Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Current | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Upper South Island, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current operator(s) | Great Journeys New Zealand (2017–present) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former operator(s) | InterCity Rail (1988–1995) Tranz Scenic (1995–2012) KiwiRail Scenic Journeys (2012–2017) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Christchurch Picton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 348 km (216 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 5 hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Tuesday, Wednesday, October - April | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | Scenic Class, Scenic Plus Class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled access | Wheelchair hoist in café car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seating arrangements | Airline-style Alcove with table | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On-board café | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows in all carriages Open-air viewing carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage facilities | Overhead shelves Baggage carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other facilities | Toilets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | DXR locomotives AK class carriages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 66 km/h (41 mph) average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train that runs between Picton and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. It is operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail.[1] It was called the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn in February 2011.[2] It was the first train to use the new AK class carriages.
The service was suspended after 14 November 2016 due to damage to the rail line from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, but in 2018-19, ran from Saturday 1 December to Sunday 28 April.[3] In November 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced $40 million for KiwiRail from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide year-round service and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.[4]
The service was again suspended on 23 March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.[5]
The Coastal Pacific long distance passenger service was suspended once more in December 2021. There were plans to replace it with a multi-day rail tour.[6][7] On 12 April 2022[8] it was announced trains would resume again from 29 September 2022, as same-day services,[9] on Thursdays to Sundays and daily between 2 February and 30 April 2023. It then next runs on 21 September 2023.[10]
- ^ "The Coastal Pacific: Between mountains and sea". The Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ^ Wheeler, Bob (11 October 2000). Chairman's Address to Shareholders, 2000 Annual Meeting. Wellington: Tranz Rail Holdings. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
- ^ "The Coastal Pacific train is coming back!". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ^ "$40 million for Coastal Pacific as first post-quake service marked in Kaikoura". Stuff (Fairfax). 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ "KiwiRail makes changes to services in response to COVID-19". KiwiRail. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ "Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations". Newshub. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "Project Restart '22". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Kiwirail". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "Even Greater Journeys for 2022!". Great Journeys of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "Coastal Pacific Train". Great Journeys NZ. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.