Capital Connection
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter passenger service between Palmerston North and Wellington in New Zealand. It is operated by Tranz Scenic. Originally named the Cityrail Express, with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North - Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides, the new service began operation on Monday, 15 April 1991.
[edit] Operator
From 1991 to 2001, the service was operated by CityRail, then by Tranz Metro. With the sale of Tranz Scenic and because Tranz Rail sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services, it was transferred to Tranz Scenic in 2001.
[edit] Rolling stock and motive power
The service began using standard NZR 56-foot carriage stock. Originally, the first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car made up the consist. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase, a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin wool seat covers. Later, a former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton/Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the new service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service on this train. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars.
Less than two years later plans were put in motion to refit the Masterton - Wellington Wairarapa Connection long-distance commuter trains to the same or similar standard to the reintroduced and revitalised Manawatu commuter train.
On Sunday, 19 June 1994, a weekend service was started up from Palmerston North to Wellington and return, giving Manawatu residents the opportunity to spend the day or weekend in Wellington before the train returned to Palmerston North for its southbound Monday morning run. The power/baggage van, catering car and former Masterton car turned 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car made up the consist. Unfortunately, it attracted minimal usage and was terminated before 1994 ended.
Monday, 15 November 1999, saw eight British Rail Mark 2 (ex first, then standard class) cars, and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power/baggage van (virtually redesigned with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments) debut, replacing the older 56-foot stock. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and are more spacious inside, with more headroom, are fully air conditioned, seat 60 per car (except the servery car, which seats 31), and with twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and forward-facing. The cars retained their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. The train is usually hauled by two DC class locomotives.
[edit] See also
| Long Distance Passenger Trains of New Zealand | ||||||||
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