Train Travel New Zealand
Your Railway Adventure!

Train travel New Zealand is a mixed affair. Some of you may have stood like me at the sidings near Waitakere City and seen the grass and weeds pushing through the scree and the tracks. The sound of trains a distant memory…

Most rail usage is for bulk freight. That isn’t for you or me. Auckland and Wellington are the two cities with commuter train systems and they’ve both been recently upgraded and extended. Well, they are still being upgraded. Planned works and that kind of thing.

The leader of the Train travel and New Zealand rail services pack is Toll Rail with its subsidiaries Tranz Metro (Metro runs the Wellington commuter trains) and Tranz Scenic. Veolia operates the Auckland commuter service.

So now Ontrack the state owned rail network is double tracking the western line and that means speed safety and efficiency. So from Avondale to Swanson with major track changes at New Lynn and Titirangi Road in Auckland you’ll see a change if you jump aboard.

For those of you like me who have been on train travels in New Zealand in previous years will be saddened by the loss of some great train routes… Including,

But fear not there is still much to enjoy my train travelling friends!

Train Travel New Zealand – Long distance passenger rail services

Four long distance routes remain for you to take rail riding pleasure in:

The Overlander between Auckland and Wellington (was to be withdrawn in September 2006 but continues on a reduced timetable).

The Capital Connection between Wellington and Palmerston North.

The Tranz Coastal between Picton and Christchurch.

The Tranz Alpine between Christchurch and Greymouth.

The Wairarapa Connection is sometimes regarded as a long-distance service and is run by Wellington's commuter rail operator Tranz Metro.

Train Travel New Zealand - Heritage passenger services

So if it’s all about memories for you and of course revelling in the magnificent New Zealand scenery then check out the Heritage Rail Trails. You’ve got…

• The Railway Enthusiasts Society owns and maintains its own fleet of vintage carriages. They arrange day excursions and interesting events every month.

• Steam Incorporated is a railway heritage and preservation society based in Paekakariki at the southern end of the Kapiti Coast about 50 minutes north of Wellington on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.

• Mainline Steam Trust are devoted to the restoration and operation of historic mainline steam locomotives. They put on regular day excursions and multi-day tours throughout New Zealand. You will get to relive the days when steam was king while experiencing the glorious New Zealand countryside. The excursions are operated by the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch branches and are advertised in the local press and of course on the good old Internet.

• The Otago Excursion Train Trust runs the Otago Central Rail Trail, a major tourist attraction in the area. The railway is New Zealand's longest tourist train route and stretches along the former Otago Central Railway from Taieri 18 km west of Dunedin to Middlemarch, a distance of about 60 kilometres.

The railway line travels through spectacular scenery along the banks of the Taieri River, through numerous tunnels and climbs the Taieri Gorge to the Strath Taieri. On its way, it crosses over a dozen viaducts, including the southern hemisphere's largest wrought iron structure.

The same company also operates the Seasider tourist train along the coast to Palmerston, north of Dunedin, with bus connections available to connect to the Taieri Gorge Railway at Middlemarch.

So your train travel in New Zealand is integral to your New Zealand tourism experience for fun and scenic beauty. When you're finally here check out the Heritage excursions and look into a ride through the mountains you will never forget!

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