TranzAlpine

TranzAlpine
A TranzAlpine service in Otira
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusOperating
LocaleSouth Island, New Zealand
First service22 November 1987
Current operator(s)Great Journeys New Zealand
Former operator(s)InterCity Rail (1987–1995)
Tranz Scenic 1995–2012
KiwiRail Scenic Journeys 2012–2017
Ridership204,000 (2006 financial year)
Websitewww.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/tranzalpine/
Route
TerminiChristchurch
Greymouth
Stops9
Distance travelled223 km (139 mi)
Average journey time4 hours, 50 minutes
Service frequencyDaily each way
On-board services
Class(es)Scenic Class, Scenic Plus Class
Seating arrangementsAirline style
Table bay
Catering facilitiesOn-board café
Observation facilitiesLarge windows in all carriages
Open-air viewing carriage
Baggage facilitiesOverhead glass shelves
Baggage carriage
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stockTwo DX locomotives (Additional Four Locomotives added between Arthur's Pass station and Otira station)
Four to six AK carriages
One to two AKCs café carriages
One to two open-air observation AKV vans
One AKL luggage van
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
KiwiRail passenger trains in the South Island, TranzAlpine

The TranzAlpine is a passenger train operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail in the South Island of New Zealand over the Midland Line; often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes (see famous trains). The journey is 223 kilometres (139 mi) one-way, taking almost five hours. There are 16 tunnels and four viaducts, with the Staircase Viaduct elevated as much as 75 metres (246 ft).

The train has become increasingly popular, and carried 204,000 passengers in the financial year ending 2007.[1] By 2016, passenger numbers were approximately 130,000 a year, but rising again after the setback of the Christchurch earthquake, and were exceeding pre-earthquake levels.[2]

The TranzAlpine service was suspended in 2020 and again in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed on 14 January 2022.[3]

  1. ^ "TranzAlpine success fails to boost profits". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 23 August 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  2. ^ KiwiRail. "KiwiRail welcomes Governor General on TranzAlpine journey". www.kiwirail.co.nz. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Tranzalpine scenic train trips back on track". Stuff/Fairfax. 14 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.