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The Lynx Express was a long-distance passenger train in the South Island of New Zealand that ran the length of the Main North Line between Picton and Christchurch. The service was operated by New Zealand Rail business unit Intercity.
[edit] Operation
In 1994, New Zealand Rail began a fast ferry service as part of the Interisland Line with the 74-metre long InCat catamaran Condor 10 being leased for the summer of that year from Condor Ferries. Known as The Lynx, it provided a faster alternative to the conventional ferries Arahanga, Aratika and Arahura. To complement the faster ferry, New Zealand Rail implemented a faster passenger train on the route, that, unlike the Coastal Pacific Express, which ran from Christchurch to Picton and back, ran from Picton to Christchurch and return. Named the Lynx Express, it debuted Monday, 19 December 1994. Two cars (formerly of the original Southerner, later of the Northerner) were rebuilt to the same specifications as the new TranzAlpine cars. They seated 50 each in seats designed for the Wairarapa Connection and Northerner/Overlander passenger trains. These seats were alcove-style with tables, and the carriages bore panorama windows and were air-conditioned. Along with these cars, the consist comprised of the recently refurbished former Southerner, Northerner and InterCity spare buffet car with 24 seats and tables arranged alcove-style, and a former Daewoo - built modular Auckland suburban van turned power/baggage van, equipped with new 90kW generator.
Despite the improved accommodation on the newer train as opposed to the Coastal Pacific and its faster timetable, with only two intermediate stops (Blenheim and Kaikoura), it failed to attract sufficient revenue, and, when the Condor 10 returned for the 1995 - 1996 summer, the service was not resumed.
[edit] Accident
Just a few days into its operation, the Picton-bound Lynx Express was involved in accident at a level crossing with State Highway 1 north of Omihi on 23 December 1994. A car illegally tried to cross in front of the train and was struck, resulting in the death of one of the car's occupants. The car's driver and another occupant suffered serious injuries. [1]
[edit] Reference
[edit] See also
| Long Distance Passenger Trains of New Zealand |
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