[13], The networks of the North and South Islands were independent of one another until the introduction of the inter-island roll-on roll-off rail ferry service in 1962 by the Railways Department, now branded The Interislander. In 2014, electrification of Auckland's suburban rail network was completed, also built to 25 kV AC. [61], The New Zealand rail network has around 4,128 kilometres (2,565 miles) of line,[62] of which about 506 kilometres (314 miles) is electrified. [79] NZR also rebuilt some of the DG class locomotives. In exchange, Toll was granted exclusive use of the rail network subject to minimum freight and passenger volumes, payment of track access charges and its own investment in new rolling stock. The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) in length, but is in poor condition; having operated its first trains through Kawakawa since operations ceased in 2000 for two weeks from 3 July 2007, the Society is now working on rehabilitating the track between Kawakawa and Opua. 151 lives were lost when the bridge collapsed as a Wellington-Auckland express passenger train was crossing it. The gateway to Britain's National Rail network. Photo for illustrative purposes. After the WMR, perhaps the best-known private railway was the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, which constructed parts of the Midland, Nelson and West Coast lines. [5], Rail transport played an important role in the opening up and development of the hinterland outside of New Zealand's predominantly dispersed and coastal settlements. Closed Makaraka – Moutohora 1959, Makaraka – Gisborne mothballed 2012. These groups have operated special excursion trains on the national network since 1978, and have been allowed to use suitable locomotives to haul these trains since 1985. On the Okahukura-Stratford Line they lasted to the early 1970s. Over 100 bus services across North & South Islands. From the 1870s, locomotives were imported from the United States, and generally found to be better suited to New Zealand's conditions, although the pro-British public and politicians preferred locomotives from the United Kingdom. [75] Local engineering firm A & G Price also manufactured a significant number of steam locomotives for NZR. [82], In 1988, 25 kV AC electrification of the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) between Palmerston North and Hamilton was commissioned, and a new generation of mainline electric locomotives, the EF class, was introduced.[83]. [52], In 2017, the recently elected Labour-led Coalition government proposed to provide commuter rail in Christchurch and to provide long-distance commuter services from Auckland to Hamilton and Tauranga. Former North Island Main Trunk Line, Isolated from South Island network. [80] Some second-hand locomotives were imported from Queensland Rail in the mid-1990s and rebuilt as DQ class locomotives, most of these locomotives were then re-exported to TasRail, then part-owned by Tranz Rail. [57] School trains ran between Picton and Blenheim, allowing Picton students to attend Marlborough College (split into Marlborough Boys' College and Marlborough Girls' College in 1963). It was not uncommon for road vehicles to be adapted, either as haulage power or rolling stock. Sockburn-Styx deviation and industrial line. [39] A number of services came to an end in the early 2000s, including the Waikato Connection between Hamilton and Auckland, the Kaimai Express between Auckland and Tauranga, the Geyserland Express between Auckland and Rotorua, the Bay Express between Wellington and Napier, the Southerner between Christchurch and Invercargill and the Northerner night service between Auckland and Wellington. NRE for the iPad. Closed beyond Gas works and Andersons Bay Rd warehousing 1942. [82] Electrification of the Wellington suburban network at 1500 V DC began in 1938 with the Johnsonville Line, followed by the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) as far as Paekakariki in 1940, and the Hutt Valley lines in 1953–55. AT is responsible for all the region's transport services, from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport. By 1981, NZR employed 22,000 staff. InterCity New Zealand Bus Network. Ideal for both young and old, couples and groups, and a broad range of interests, New Zealand rail tours take you through spectacular scenery and fascinating historical locations in comfort and style. [11], A few private companies built railways in New Zealand, including the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, Waimea Plains Railway, and Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Company. In February 1867, Southland Province opened a branch from Invercargill to Bluff to the international standard gauge of 4 ft 8.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;white-space:nowrap} 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). Wellington's suburban rolling stock consists of electric multiple units, with diesel locomotive-hauled carriage trains used on the Wairarapa service. The Corporation became a state-owned enterprise in 1987, required to turn a profit. The North Island Main Trunk, linking capital city Wellington with the largest city Auckland, opened in 1908 after 23 years of construction. [27] The plan has been significantly undermined by the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, Pike River Mine disaster, coal price collapse, coal miner Solid Energy going into voluntary administration in 2016 and major motive power issues with the new DL class of locomotives. Train routes are mainly limited to travel between the main cities and more provincial towns. Initially, steam locomotives were mostly imported from the United Kingdom from various manufacturers. Closed Hokitika – Ross 1980, Freight only. [8] The Canterbury Provincial Railways were built to the broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm). NZR eventually expanded into other transport modes, especially with the Railways Road Services, inter-island ferries and Rail Air service. The new routes will be operated by Austria's OeBB using 20 new trains and should bring to 1.4 million the number of night passengers the four operators carry each year. Trains ran the 12 miles (19 km) between Napier and Hastings but some were replaced by a New Zealand Railways Road Services bus in 1926, and soon they ceased altogether. Urban tram operations, built from scratch as tourist attractions, have more recently been restarted in Christchurch (1995) Auckland (2011), and Wanganui (2013). The Tico Times January 15, 2021 January 15, 2021. We're proud to be the home to listings for accommodation , attractions , tours and transport businesses (over 12,000) together with extensive visitor holiday and vacation information … In 1938, Wellington became the second city (after the Christchurch service to Lyttelton) to have electric suburban trains, and from 1970 to 2014 was the only city with them. NZTA also investigates accidents and incidents with a view to ensuring regulations and rules were observed. The railway network in New Zealand consists of four main lines, six secondary lines and numerous short branch lines in almost every region. A collection of my favourite and best videos of New Zealand during 2016, containing videos of NZ Rail from across NZ (North Island) New Zealand’s challenging landscapes demanded some remarkable feats of early railway engineers. The network was initially protected from road transport competition under the Transport Licensing Act 1931, but this protection was gradually eased until its total abolition in 1983, along with the deregulation of the land transport industry. School season passes increased from 8720 in 1899 to 29,705 in 1914–15, when one in seven primary and secondary students travelled by train. The railway network was initially constructed by the provincial governments of New Zealand from 1863 onwards. Light rail networks are planned for Auckland and Wellington. All of these involved major tunnelling works, of close to 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) each in the two latter cases. Passenger: leased to a private operator June 2012. The central government renationalised first the Auckland metro railway network in 2001, then the rest of the country in 2004, and finally the rail and ferry operations in 2008, creating a new state-owned enterprise, KiwiRail.[7]. Most Auckland rolling stock is owned by Auckland Transport, which funds and coordinates all services. The railway network in New Zealand consists of four main lines, six secondary lines and numerous short branch lines in almost every region. [28], Two of KiwiRail's major customers, Mainfreight and Fonterra, also invested heavily in rail-related infrastructure. [73] The Auckland suburban network is also equipped with European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 signalling and train protection. New Rivet Games route for TSW 2 - Isle Of Wight: Ryde-Shanklin route with the classic BR Class 483 to drive! Closed Clyde – Cromwell 1980, Middlemarch – Clyde 1990, Closed 1953 beyond Woollen Mills private siding, remainder closed 1990, Closed Heriot – Edievale 1968, Waipahi – Heriot 1978, Closed Gore – Balfour 1971, Lumsden – Balfour 1978, Standard gauge 1435mm, 1866 to 1875. [88] The Transport Accident Investigation Commission may also inquire into selected accidents and incidents to determine the circumstances and causes and help prevent similar occurrences in the future. [64], The entire network is built to the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge, chosen due to the need to cross mountainous terrain in the country's interior and the lower cost of construction. Mothballed Morrinsville to Waitoa, reopened 2004 as Waitoa Branch. AM class EMUs wrapped with artwork roaming the Auckland rail network. The last two lines are sometimes referred to as the South Island Main Trunk Railway. The government committed $200 million of taxpayer funding for deferred maintenance and capital improvements via a new subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, ONTRACK. Report a problem. In 1980 11.8 million tonnes of freight was moved by rail, in 1994 this had decreased to 9.4 million tonnes. Freight only. The five daily trains on the 667 km line reduced truck volumes on the route by around 120 per day. Freight only, Closed Browns – Hedgehope 1953, Winton – Browns 1968, Closed 1875, Standard gauge 1435mm from 1866, connected to, Closed Tuatapere – Orawia 1970, Riverton – Tuatapere 1976, Thornbury – Riverton 1978, Freight only, mothballed beyond Nightcaps, Closed Wyndham – Glenham 1930, Edendale – Wyndham 1962, Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway Company. [47], Auckland's network consists of four lines: Southern, Eastern, Western and Onehunga. These are the Railway Enthusiasts Society, Steam Incorporated, Mainline Steam Trust and the Otago Excursion Train Trust. [65][66] Difficult terrain meant that some lines took years to complete, and has necessitated a number of complicated engineering feats, notably the Raurimu Spiral and Rimutaka Incline (the latter no longer in use). The Christchurch-Lyttelton suburban service was stopped in 1972 when passengers were down to "a busload". New Zealand's first public railway was opened in that year, running the short distance between Christchurch and the wharf at Ferrymead and built by the Canterbury Provincial Railways. Instead of concluding a final track access agreement with Toll, in 2008 the government purchased the rail and ferry assets for $690 million, effective 1 July 2008. New Zealand awaits. [79], Due to a decline in rail freight volumes following land transport deregulation in 1983, and the introduction of electrification on the North Island Main Trunk, no new mainline diesel locomotives were introduced in the 1990s. Major bulk freight includes coal, lime, steel, wood and wood products, paper pulp, dry and liquid milk, cars, fertiliser, grain and shipping containers. View gallery. [42], Until June 2020, Dunedin Railways operated tourist trains out of Dunedin, with frequent services on the former Otago Central Railway line and occasional services north from Dunedin to Palmerston. New from 3D ZUG - ICE 1 (BR 401) for Train Simulator! The last "boat train" for the ferry service to Wellington ran in 1976. [54], Worker's concession tickets had been introduced in 1897, initially for the Wellington-Hutt service, and extended next year to Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin (and then between Westport and Waimangaroa). UPDATE: Services returned for the summer! [92], About 60 groups operate railway heritage lines or museums, almost all members of the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand. [78], Starting from the mid-1970s, the first generation diesel locomotives were withdrawn, being replaced by new locomotives, predominantly designs from North America. Dunedin Railways is a Council-controlled organisation (CCO) 72% owned by the Dunedin City Council and runs the Taieri Gorge Limited which is 60 kilometres (37 mi) in length, and various other services around Dunedin and Otago. New Zealand Railways promoted rail holidays through bright, attractive posters and its own popular monthly magazine. NZ Rail Maps - Facebook information page. Te Huia Training Runs. Mothballed: Napier to Muriwai 2012. KiwiRail operates all freight and a small number of passenger services primarily for tourists on certain routes in both islands; Transdev operates Auckland Transport "AT Metro" suburban passenger trains in Auckland and Metlink passenger trains in the Wellington region; Dunedin Railways (formerly Taieri Gorge Railway) operates tourist passenger trains in Dunedin. [58][59], The NZR offered season tickets for primary and secondary school students from 1877, using funds paid for out of the Education budget, and from 1885 for students attending primary schools from a place lacking a local school. Our three iconic trains, Coastal Pacific, Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine and our Interislander Cook Strait ferry offer a seamless connection between the North and South islands, and to many spectacular destinations along the way. [32] This network would provide passenger services linking Auckland with Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua. [91] The next most serious accident was the Hyde railway disaster of 1943, when the Cromwell - Dunedin express derailed after travelling at excessive speed. [85], The Janney ("Alliance") coupler was first used on heavy coal trains and have been progressively introduced on newer rolling stock and rebuilt locomotives. Advocacy group Greater Auckland proposed the Regional Rapid Rail initiative in 2017, including tilt trains with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Rail freight volumes increased between 1993 and 2000 from 8.5m net tonnes to 14.99m net tonnes carried annually, and then gradually fell until 2003 to 13.7m tonnes. [40], In recent years the amount of freight moved by rail has increased substantially and has started to gain market share in non-bulk areas as well. A 1979 NZR report "Time for Change" said that the Wellington suburban services revenue met only 26% of operating costs (Dunedin was 28%, Auckland 46%). Template:NZ rail Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of Template:RailGauge gauge (Cape gauge) railway lines in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Bus passes for backpackers from $132. Dunedin had suburban trains to Port Chalmers and Mosgiel, withdrawn on 3 December 1982. The service was cancelled when Queen Charlotte College opened in Picton in 1965, and those students remaining at the Marlborough Colleges switched to buses. All were progressively closed (mostly in the 1980s), leaving only Hutt Workshops still operating. One rail shared with DCC Tramways and electrified 1908 along Royal Crescent. It’s the simplest way to experience New Zealand’s rich diversity and breathtaking beauty. 21 lives were lost. A guide on New Zealand national travel networks and routes lines system. 840 likes. NZ RAIL is a personal page set up with photos and videos of anything New Zealand Railways with the occasional overseas railway. [23] The government then considered various schemes for bailing it out in return for regaining control of the rail infrastructure. [69], As part of the 10-year Turnaround Plan announced in 2010, a number of regional lines were placed under threat of closure:[70] all lines in Northland that form part of the North Auckland Line, the Stratford–Okahukura Line in Taranaki (mothballed since 2009), the northern portion of the Wairarapa Line, the Gisborne – Napier section of the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line (mothballed due to storm damage north of Wairoa early 2012, mothballed Napier – Gisborne from October 2012)[71] As part of KiwiRail's 10-year long-term plan, most new capital will be spent on locomotives, wagons and the Auckland – Wellington – Christchurch freight corridor. They include street tramways and bush tramways as well as railways. The Railways Department became the New Zealand Railways Corporation. The driver was later found to have been intoxicated and was jailed for manslaughter. This page was last edited on 10 January 2021, at 08:46. Wrapped AM Units. [16], New Zealand Rail Limited was privatised in 1993. Open: Muriwai to Gisborne, leased by Gisborne Vintage Railway from June 2013. This map shows New Zealand’s rail network between 1880 and 1940. NZ RAIL. For more information about the maps project choose one of the links below. These were lines principally constructed to haul timber or minerals, often in isolated areas. [75] The first major class was the F class tank locomotives, of which 88 were imported. From the 1870s, focus shifted to building a nationwide network linking major centres, especially during the Vogel Era of railway construction following the abolition of the provinces. The Norwegian coupling was the standard coupler used in New Zealand for non-passenger rolling stock and locomotives until recent years. Choosing to travel by rail, however, is a great idea for those wanting to experience the fantastic scenic routes that New Zealand has to offer. John Pascoe said that some children spend "up to six hours a day travelling." [55], Up to the 1930s and 1940s, pupils had to commute to larger towns for secondary education from places that only had a primary school; for example from rural Canterbury to Christchurch Technical High School. All maps are licensed for re-use under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike NZ 3.0. In both cities, the respective local governments own the suburban passenger rolling stock and contract the operation of services to a third-party, in both cases Transdev. Nevertheless, significant improvements in freight volumes have followed (other than with coal). Rail rates were significantly cheaper than road rates, so the scheme provided significant benefits to its users, while imposing significant costs on the government. Wagons at the Airport. The topography of New Zealand's two main islands demanded a narrow track gauge to keep costs down for a young nation and the ruggedness of the … Hornby Industrial Line/Southbridge Branch, Riverton Branch/Tuatapere Branch/Orawia Branch, New Zealand Midland Railway Company Limited, Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Limited, Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company Limited, Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, 23 August 1910, Page 5, Taupo Totara Timber Company's line between Putaruru and Mokai, working heritage railway lines and museums, "KiwiRail to mothball Napier-Gisborne line", "Sketch map of the Colony of New Zealand shewing authorised and proposed railway lines", "Papers Past — Evening Post — 13 Hereturikōkā 1907 — RAILWAY ROUTE", "Papers Past — Nelson Evening Mail — 11 November 1886 — THE MOTUEKA-TADMOII RAILWAY ROUTE", "New Zealand : Anno Tricesimo Victoriae Reginae : No. On the North Island Main Trunk they ran during the day while the expresses ran at night. Rail transformed – Story: Railways", "New Zealand Railways Corporation - Statement of Corporate Intent - 2016-2018", "New Zealand National Freight Study 2008", "Rail safety report on South Island Coal Route", "Tranz Rail a case for public-private partnership", "NZ stocks: Tranz Rail plunges, NZ sharemarket ignores rises offshore", "Process for agreeing the purchase price for the Toll businesses", "New Zealand to invest almost $NZ 1bn in rail", "KiwiRail investment through Land Transport fund: government proposal 'historic' - chief exec", "High-speed Auckland to Rotorua rail link proposed", "Hamilton-Auckland train trial gets tick from NZ Transport Agency", "Coronavirus: Start date for Hamilton to Auckland passenger train delayed", "Govt's $12b infrastructure spend: Rail, roads and DHBs the big winners", "Statistics New Zealand - Long term data series - J Transport - J2 Rail - J2.1 Passengers and freight carried by rail.xls", "KiwiRail may spend $50M on new carriages", "Plan to get Dunedin Railways back on track", "Wellingtons trains to be run by French company Transdev after KiwiRail loses contract", "ARC chief unhappy at delay to new service", "Daily activities - Integrated and affordable public transport", "Labour promises rail within 18 months for Hamilton commuters", "Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand – Blenheim Station", "Promoting sustainability in New Zealand's rail system – New Zealand Transport Agency Research Report 370", "KiwiRail to mothball Napier-Gisborne Line", "Kiwirail looking overseas for couplings", "Bay of Islands Vintage Railway - Our Future", New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, Regulation of Rail Transport in New Zealand, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rail_transport_in_New_Zealand&oldid=1002491214, Articles which use infobox templates with no data rows, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 January 2021, at 18:22. Training runs for the Te Huia Hamilton to Papakura service. [74], From its inception until the 1950s, steam locomotives were the main motive power on New Zealand's railways. The parcels and bus service business units were also privatised, and the Railways Corporation continued to dispose of surplus land. [7], In the early 1980s, NZR was corporatised as the New Zealand Railways Corporation and drastically restructured,[7] especially following the deregulation of land transport in 1983. The Canterbury Provincial Railways were built to the broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm). One of the reasons often cited for these policies was that the cost of using road transport to Tranz Rail was less than that of using rail because the road infrastructure is provided as a public good, whereas the rail network was a private good. [30] The draft plan proposes a number of major changes, the most significant being future funding of the rail network through the National Land Transport Fund.[31]. [84] Auckland's AM class and Wellington's FP/FT class "Matangi" electric multiple units use the Scharfenberg coupling. [21], In 2003, the share price of Tranz Rail dropped to a record low on the New Zealand sharemarket, dropping 88% in value in 12 months[22] as a result of its poor financial state and credit downgrading. While our rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible train journeys on offer. [47] Prior to Transdev, KiwiRail's Tranz Metro division held the contract. Discover New Zealand travel destinations and attractions by rail, bus and ferry. An interim agreement was signed by Toll NZ for track access; Toll paid a nominal track access charge while negotiating a final agreement with ONTRACK. Closed Lincoln – Southbridge 1962, Prebbleton – Lincoln 1967, mothballed 2012. [17] Freight volumes then increased again to 16.1m tonnes carried annually in 2012. Parts of the network were constructed by private companies, and most were unsuccessful. From the late 19th century the expanding rail network opened up exciting leisure and tourism opportunities for ordinary New Zealand families. [12], The first major route was completed between Christchurch and Dunedin in 1878, later extended to Invercargill the following year. Freight & Passenger Wellington to Masterton, Westfield Junction – Southdown Freight Centre, Britomart Transport Centre – Newmarket – Swanson, Britomart Transport Centre – Newmarket – Penrose – Onehunga, Closed Paeroa to Apata, September 1978. Mainfreight allocated $60 million for investment in new railhead depots, while Fonterra invested $130m in a new rail hub complex in Hamilton and another planned for Mosgiel. [26] In May 2017, the government announced a further $450 million capital injection and that KiwiRail would be subject to a further significant review. At the same time, the newest locomotives of the DA class were rebuilt as DC class locomotives in Australia and New Zealand. Free WiFi. In the 1970s a large heavy-duty version of the chopper coupler was developed, initially for the DX class. [46], Currently, Auckland and Wellington have suburban passenger services. New Zealand has a fine rail network, although it is not very extensive. [53], Other cities (Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Napier-Hastings) once had suburban services, but they were withdrawn due to a lack of patronage. [41], A 2008 study by the Ministry of Transport predicted that by 2031 rail freight volumes would increase to 23 million tonnes per annum or 70% on the 2006–2007 financial year. The biggest of these were the Westfield Deviation of the North Island Main Trunk from Auckland to Westfield Junction via Panmure and Glen Innes, opened 1930, the Tawa Flat deviation in Wellington, opened 1937;[68] the Rimutaka deviation to the Wairarapa, opened 1955;[67] and the Kaimai deviation in the Bay of Plenty, opened 1978. Today, services are primarily provided by KiwiRail and focused on bulk freight, with a small number of tourist orientated passenger services, such as the TranzAlpine, Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer. [60] Premier Richard Seddon and the Liberal Government were keen to place secondary education "within the reach of the poorest man in the Colony" with an extension of the free passes in 1898 and 1909. Some significant proposals include: See also Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, 23 August 1910, Page 5 for a list of railways authorised, proposed and under construction, with estimated cost of completing them as at 1 April 1910, many of which were not built. The Corporation embarked on a major restructuring, laying off thousands of staff and cutting unprofitable services. Boys and girls were usually segregated. In 1981 NZR was corporatised as the New Zealand Railways Corporation, and in 1991 New Zealand Rail Limited was split from the corporation. The network is owned and managed by KiwiRail. New Zealand train tours are a great way to explore New Zealand and to learn of our history and heritage. Share on Facebook; Tweet on Twitter + An American Airlines plane at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José, Costa Rica. [39] In the 2006–2007 financial year, 13.7 million tonnes of freight were carried. These negotiations did not progress and eventually went to arbitration at the start of 2008.[24]. [51] Recent major projects include electrification of the Auckland suburban network and the building of the City Rail Link. Railways became centrally controlled as a government department under the names New Zealand Government Railways or New Zealand Railways Department (NZR), and land transport was heavily regulated from 1931 onwards. [20] With the creation of the "super-city" Auckland Council in 2010, ARTA was dissolved and its role was taken over by Auckland Transport, a new council-controlled organisation. The Tranz Alpine train operates daily between Christchurch, Arthurs Pass and Greymouth - from the east coast to the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. The Invercargill to Bluff service stopped in 1967; in 1929 the sole Clayton steam railcar had been used. 33", "Papers Past — Marlborough Express — 2 July 1913 — THE WAIRAU VALLEY RAILWAY", "Papers Past — Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle — 4 Hōngongoi 1867 — WESTPORT AND CHARLESTON RAILWAY", Dunedin Peninsula and Ocean Beach Railway, New Zealand railway museums and heritage lines, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_railway_lines_in_New_Zealand&oldid=999462011, Lists of buildings and structures in New Zealand, All Wikipedia articles written in New Zealand English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Freight & passenger (Christchurch – Rolleston), Freight & Passenger(charter/cruise). A program of retrofitting older rolling stock has been underway since 2013. Train & Rail Tours & Trips in New Zealand Relax and admire breathtaking views in New Zealand only accessible by train journey. Tranz Rail retained time slots for freight trains, and the Auckland Regional Council was granted slots for it to contract the operation of suburban passenger trains. [36], Freight is carried by KiwiRail and provides the majority of its revenue traffic. A large number of societies operate working heritage railway lines and museums. In December 2018, the Government of New Zealand committed funding to reintroducing a five-year trial rail service, named Te Huia, between Papakura in southern Auckland to Hamilton, starting in 2020. Control System ( ETCS ) Level 1 signalling and train protection had suburban trains to Port Chalmers and Mosgiel withdrawn! Western and Onehunga were rebuilt as DC class locomotives in Australia and New Zealand has a fine network. And electrified 1908 along Royal Crescent – Lincoln 1967, mothballed 2012 suburban network and building... Leased to a private operator June 2012 with the occasional overseas railway seven primary secondary... Bus and ferry routes are mainly Limited to travel between the Main cities and more towns... Truck volumes on the Okahukura-Stratford Line they lasted to the broad gauge of 5 ft 3 (. Are planned for Auckland and Wellington these involved major tunnelling works, close... 8720 in 1899 to 29,705 in 1914–15, when one in seven primary and students. United Kingdom from various manufacturers broad gauge of 5 ft 3 in 1,600. Spend `` up to six hours a day travelling. guide on New Zealand for non-passenger stock! Ice 1 ( BR 401 ) for train Simulator great way to explore New Zealand national networks! Electric multiple units, with diesel locomotive-hauled carriage trains used on the 667 km Line truck. Class tank locomotives, of which 88 were imported heavy-duty version of the network were constructed private. Capital city Wellington with the Railways Department became the New Zealand and to learn of our history heritage. Is responsible for all the region 's transport services, inter-island ferries and rail service. And cutting unprofitable services in 2017, including tilt trains with a maximum of. Steam railcar had been used following year, including tilt trains with a view to ensuring regulations and were... As Waitoa branch 's Railways a fine rail network, although it is not very extensive travel the! Became a state-owned enterprise in 1987, required to turn a profit Lincoln – Southbridge 1962, –... For all the region 's transport services, from its inception until 1950s. Expresses ran at night 1967, mothballed 2012 referred to as the South Island Trunk! Million tonnes of freight were carried views in New Zealand only accessible by train expanding network... Be adapted, either as haulage power or rolling stock is owned Auckland! Isolated areas by private companies, and in 1991 New Zealand consists of four Main lines six. Lines, six secondary lines and numerous short branch lines in almost every region increased to... Were down to `` a busload '' Corporation became a state-owned enterprise in 1987, required turn! Had suburban trains to Port Chalmers and Mosgiel, withdrawn on 3 December 1982 bus services across North South! Incredible train journeys on offer service was stopped in 1967 ; in the. Late 19th century the expanding rail network opened up exciting leisure and tourism opportunities for New. Was corporatised as the New Zealand families leased by Gisborne Vintage railway from June.. Driver was later found to have been intoxicated and was jailed for manslaughter also investigates accidents and with... Promoted rail holidays through bright, attractive posters and its own popular monthly magazine suburban trains Port... Was stopped in 1967 ; in 1929 the sole Clayton steam railcar had used... 32 ] this network would provide passenger services to Transdev, KiwiRail 's Tranz Metro division held contract... The expanding rail network, although it is not very extensive bus services across North & South Islands include... Railways road services, inter-island ferries and rail Air service chopper coupler was developed, initially for the service... Annually in 2012 are the railway network was initially constructed by the provincial governments New... Nzr eventually expanded into other transport modes, especially with the classic BR 483. Service business units were also privatised, and in 1991 New Zealand travel destinations attractions. Became a nz train network enterprise in 1987, required to turn a profit numerous short branch lines in every... Bus services across North & South Islands January 15, 2021 2021 at... Leased by Gisborne Vintage railway from June 2013 this had decreased to million... Personal page set up with photos and videos of anything New Zealand from 1863 onwards travel networks and routes System. Signalling and train protection advocacy group Greater Auckland proposed the Regional Rapid rail initiative 2017!