Coastal Pacific
Passenger train in New Zealand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Coastal Pacific is a long-distance passenger train that runs between Picton and Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. It is operated by the Great Journeys New Zealand division of KiwiRail.[1] It was called the TranzCoastal from May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn in February 2011.[2] It was the first train to use the new AK class carriages.
Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Service type | Inter-city rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Current | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Upper South Island, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Great Journeys New Zealand (2017–present) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former operator(s) | InterCity Rail (1988–1995) Tranz Scenic (1995–2012) KiwiRail Scenic Journeys (2012–2017) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini | Christchurch Picton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 348 km (216 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 5 hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | Tuesday, Wednesday, October - April | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class(es) | Scenic Class, Scenic Plus Class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disabled access | Wheelchair hoist in café car | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seating arrangements | Airline-style Alcove with table | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | On-board café | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Observation facilities | Large windows in all carriages Open-air viewing carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baggage facilities | Overhead shelves Baggage carriage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other facilities | Toilets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | DXR locomotives AK class carriages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 66 km/h (41 mph) average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The service was suspended after 14 November 2016 due to damage to the rail line from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, but in 2018-19, ran from Saturday 1 December to Sunday 28 April.[3] In November 2018, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced $40 million for KiwiRail from the Provincial Growth Fund, to provide year-round service and to upgrade the Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton stations.[4]
The service was again suspended on 23 March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.[5]
The Coastal Pacific long distance passenger service was suspended once more in December 2021. There were plans to replace it with a multi-day rail tour.[6][7] On 12 April 2022[8] it was announced trains would resume again from 29 September 2022, as same-day services,[9] on Thursdays to Sundays and daily between 2 February and 30 April 2023. It then next runs on 21 September 2023.[10]