Tranz Scenic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tranz Scenic | |
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| Type | Private company |
| Founded | 1985 (As InterCity Rail) |
| Headquarters | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Area served | New Zealand |
| Industry | Transport in New Zealand |
| Services | Long distance rail services |
| Parent | Toll NZ |
| Website | http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz |
Tranz Scenic is the long-distance passenger rail division of Toll NZ, formed from the New Zealand Railways Corporation InterCity Rail services. Tranz Scenic was renamed along with the other operating divisions of Tranz Rail in 1995. In 2001 50% of the division was sold to two directors of the Victoria, Australia rail operator West Coast Railway, as Tranz Scenic (2001) Limited. A number of services were discontinued then, despite protests. After Toll Holdings purchased Tranz Rail in 2003, it purchased the 50% share of Tranz Scenic (2001) and absorbed it into the company's Toll Rail operation.
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[edit] Services
In 2004 Tranz Scenic withdrew the Northerner overnight Auckland - Wellington service, citing poor patronage. This was the last overnight service in New Zealand. Tranz Scenic also reduced the number of stations served by the Overlander service on the North Island Main Trunk.
In April 2006, Toll NZ announced that it was proposing to[1] sell its two South Island trains, the TranzAlpine and the TranzCoastal. In July, the end of The Overlander service was announced, but after significant protest and an increase in patronage (due to the publicity) the service continued, operating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during winter and daily in peak summer.
[edit] Current trains
- The Capital Connection: Palmerston North - Wellington; Monday-Friday
- The Overlander: Auckland - Wellington; daily in summer, Friday-Sunday in winter
- The TranzAlpine: Christchurch - Greymouth; daily
- The TranzCoastal: Christchurch - Picton; daily
[edit] Former trains
[edit] Withdrawn 1995
- The Lynx Express: Picton - Christchurch
[edit] Withdrawn 2001
- The Bay Express: Wellington - Napier
- The Geyserland: Auckland - Rotorua
- The Kaimai Express: Auckland - Tauranga
- The Waikato Connection: Hamilton - Auckland
[edit] Withdrawn 2002
- The Southerner: Christchurch - Dunedin - Invercargill
[edit] Withdrawn 2004
- The Northerner: Auckland - Wellington overnight
[edit] Rolling stock
The Capital Connection: refurbished 1970s ex-British Rail Mark 2 S class carriages.
The Overlander, The TranzAlpine and The TranzCoastal: NZR 56-ft carriages, most dating from the 1940s. They were extensively refurbished in the late 1980s, receiving new bogies and panoramic windows. The capital expenditure required for their replacement is seen as a major impediment to the future of the operation.
