{{Short description|Passenger train in New Zealand}} {{about|a New Zealand passenger rail service|coastal Pacific|Pacific coast}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = 30em | name = ''Coastal Pacific'' | logo = | image = Coastal Pacific 01.JPG | image_width = 300px | caption = A northbound Coastal Pacific train in [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] | type = [[Inter-city rail]] | status = Current | locale = Upper [[South Island]], New Zealand | first = 25 September 1988 | operator = [[Great Journeys New Zealand]] (2017–present) | formeroperator = [[Tranz Scenic|InterCity Rail]] (1988–1995)<br />[[Tranz Scenic]] (1995–2012)<br />[[KiwiRail Scenic Journeys]] (2012–2017) | ridership = | start = [[Christchurch railway station, New Zealand|Christchurch]] | stops = 5 | end = [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] | distance = {{convert|348|km|abbr=on}} | journeytime = 5 hours | frequency = Tuesday, Wednesday, October - April | class = Scenic Class, Scenic Plus Class | access = Wheelchair hoist in café car | seating = Airline-style <br /> Alcove with table | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = On-board café | observation = Large windows in all carriages <br /> Open-air viewing carriage | entertainment = | baggage = Overhead shelves <br /> Baggage carriage | otherfacilities = Toilets | stock = [[New Zealand DX class locomotive#DXR class|DXR locomotive]]s <br /> [[New Zealand AK class carriage|AK class carriage]]s | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} | el = | speed = {{convert|66|km/h|abbr=on}} average | map_state = collapsed | map = {{routemap|map= BOOT\KBHFa\~~347.98~~[[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]]~~Connection to [[Interislander]] ferry to [[Wellington]] BHF~~319.50~~[[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim]] BHF~~191.12~~[[Kaikōura]] BHF~~30.11~~[[Rangiora]] KBHFe~~0.51~~[[Christchurch railway station, New Zealand|Christchurch]] }} }}
[[File:KiwiRail_passenger_train_map_south_island.png|thumb|300px|KiwiRail passenger trains in the South Island, Coastal Pacific in 2021]] The '''''Coastal Pacific''''' is a long-distance passenger train that runs between [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] and [[Christchurch]] in the [[South Island]] of [[New Zealand]]. It is operated by the [[Great Journeys New Zealand]] division of [[KiwiRail]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/coastal-pacific/| title=The Coastal Pacific: Between mountains and sea| publisher=[[The Great Journeys of New Zealand]]| accessdate=21 June 2017| archive-date=11 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811055146/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/coastal-pacific/| url-status=live}}</ref> It was called the '''''TranzCoastal''''' from 23 May 2000 until temporarily withdrawn on 15 August 2011.<ref>{{cite conference |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0010/S00085/speech-by-bob-wheeler-chairman-tranz-railto-agm.htm |title=Chairman's Address to Shareholders, 2000 Annual Meeting |last1=Wheeler |first1=Bob |date=11 October 2000 |publisher=Tranz Rail Holdings |location=Wellington |access-date=20 October 2010 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007164608/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0010/S00085/speech-by-bob-wheeler-chairman-tranz-railto-agm.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the first train to use the new [[New Zealand AK class carriage|AK class carriage]]s.
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/coastal-pacific-reopening-december-2018/|title=The Coastal Pacific train is coming back!|website=Great Journeys of New Zealand|language=en-NZ|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213233610/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/coastal-pacific-reopening-december-2018/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/108806035/40m-for-Coastal-Pacific-as-first-post-quake-service-marked-in-Kaik-ura |title= $40 million for Coastal Pacific as first post-quake service marked in Kaikoura |publisher= Stuff (Fairfax) |date= 23 November 2018 |access-date= 1 December 2018 |archive-date= 1 December 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181201181102/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/108806035/40m-for-Coastal-Pacific-as-first-post-quake-service-marked-in-Kaik-ura |url-status= live }}</ref>
The service was again suspended on 23 March 2020 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|COVID-19]] restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KiwiRail makes changes to services in response to COVID-19|url=https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/kiwirail-makes-changes-to-services-in-response-to-covid-19/|access-date=2020-07-06|website=KiwiRail|language=en-US|archive-date=31 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131052450/https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/media/kiwirail-makes-changes-to-services-in-response-to-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Newshub">{{Cite news|title=Urgent calls for long-distance passenger services to stay as KiwiRail cuts operations|language=en|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/urgent-calls-for-long-distance-passenger-services-to-stay-as-kiwirail-cuts-operations.html|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129034038/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/12/urgent-calls-for-long-distance-passenger-services-to-stay-as-kiwirail-cuts-operations.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Project Restart '22|url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/explore-nz/our-scenic-nz-trains/northern-explorer-and-coastal-pacific-restart-22/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Great Journeys of New Zealand|language=en-US|archive-date=1 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201175954/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/explore-nz/our-scenic-nz-trains/northern-explorer-and-coastal-pacific-restart-22/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 12 April 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kiwirail |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=355115436650781&set=a.311367224358936 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=www.facebook.com |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415002417/https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=355115436650781&set=a.311367224358936 |url-status=live }}</ref> it was announced trains would resume again from 29 September 2022, as same-day services,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Even Greater Journeys for 2022! |url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/explore-nz/our-scenic-nz-trains/making-our-great-journeys-even-greater/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=Great Journeys of New Zealand |language=en-US |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710114212/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/explore-nz/our-scenic-nz-trains/making-our-great-journeys-even-greater/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> on Thursdays to Sundays and daily between 2 February and 30 April 2023. It then next runs on 21 September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coastal Pacific Train |url=https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=Great Journeys NZ |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324182524/https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == In September 1988 the Railways Corporation announced it was replacing the [[Picton Express]] train from Christchurch to Picton with a new train along the lines of the successful [[TranzAlpine]] between Christchurch and Greymouth launched in November 1987.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Tranz-Alpine Express Popular|journal=New Zealand Railway Observer|publisher=[[New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society]]|date=Winter 1988|volume=45| issue = 2 (194)|issn=0028-8624|page=75}}</ref>
On 25 September 1988, the train was re-launched as the "Coastal Pacific Express."{{sfn|Churchman|Hurst|2001|p=64}} The new train eliminated the previous refreshment stop at Kaikōura and included a servery for refreshments.<ref name="nzro_summer_1988">{{cite journal|title=Coastal Pacific Express|work=New Zealand Railway Observer|publisher=[[New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society]]|date=Summer 1988–1989|volume=45| issue = 4 (196)|issn=0028-8624|page=167}}</ref>
In April 2006, [[Toll NZ]] announced its intention to sell the ''TranzCoastal'' and the ''[[TranzAlpine]]''.<ref name="TVNZ_720377">{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425829/720377 |title=Tranz Alpine journey up for grabs |date=22 May 2006 |work=[[Television New Zealand]] |accessdate=24 September 2011 |archive-date=11 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111135823/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425829/720377 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, with the purchase of Toll NZ's rail assets in 2008 by the government, these plans never came to fruition. [[KiwiRail]] has upgraded the remaining three long-distance passenger services.
Following the [[2011 Christchurch earthquake|6.3 magnitude earthquake]] that struck Canterbury on 22 February 2011, KiwiRail suspended the train, replacing it with a bus service until 10 April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=East coast rail service is stopped |first=TANIA |last=BUTTERFIELD |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4848909/East-coast-rail-service-is-stopped |newspaper=The Marlborough Express |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Blenheim |date=5 April 2011 |accessdate=22 July 2011 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025050011/http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4848909/East-coast-rail-service-is-stopped |url-status=live }}</ref> They announced that it would return on 15 August 2011<ref>{{cite news |title=TranzCoastal off rails till August |first=PAUL |last=GORMAN |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4847231/TranzCoastal-off-rails-till-August |newspaper=[[The Press]] |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Christchurch |date=5 April 2011 |accessdate=5 April 2011 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023194939/http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4847231/TranzCoastal-off-rails-till-August |url-status=live }}</ref> under its original name, the ''Coastal Pacific''.<ref name="TranzCoastal service resumes with new Coastal Pacific identity">{{Citation | title=TranzCoastal service resumes with new Coastal Pacific identity | journal=Daily Express | issue=104 | year=2011 | page=1 }}</ref> Since 2013 the train has been run as a seasonal service, serving the peak tourist season between about September to April, with no services in the winter months, to offset operating losses.<ref>{{cite news |last1=HERSELMAN |first1=SVEN |date=5 May 2014 |title=All aboard for last run of the season |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/10008916/All-aboard-for-last-run-of-the-season |newspaper=The Marlborough Express |location=Blenheim |publisher=Fairfax NZ News |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710112645/https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/10008916/All-aboard-for-last-run-of-the-season |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[2016 Kaikōura earthquake|7.8 magnitude North Canterbury earthquake]] on 14 November 2016 caused numerous landslides that destroyed parts of the railway line in the Kaikōura district. KiwiRail suspended the train service, which had been due to operate until May 2017, for the rest of the 2016–17 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/home/disruption-news/ |title=Disruption news |work=KiwiRail Scenic Journeys |accessdate=23 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123204140/http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/home/disruption-news/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was announced on 1 August 2018 that the service would resume on 1 December.<ref>{{cite press release |date=1 August 2018 |title=Coastal Pacific train service to return from December |url=http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/news/535/78/Coastal-Pacific-train-service-to-return-from-December/d,news.html |type=Press release |publisher=KiwiRail |access-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104544/http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/news/535/78/Coastal-Pacific-train-service-to-return-from-December/d,news.html |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/what-we-do/projects/main-north-line/ |title= Main North Line rebuild (project timetable) |publisher= KiwiRail |date= 2018 |access-date= 1 September 2019 |archive-date= 1 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190701211842/https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/what-we-do/projects/main-north-line/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
As of 31 August 2022, the ''Coastal Pacific'' has suspended same day passenger operations between Picton and Christchurch.<ref name="Newshub"/> These services are planned to return on 29 September.
=== Incidents === One of [[Tranz Rail|New Zealand Rail]]'s most controversial safety incidents happened in 1994 when 6-year-old Morgan Jones fell under an observation carriage on the Coastal Pacific, after a handrail he was holding onto suddenly fell off. Although Jones survived the accident, he was left blind and had a leg amputated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safekids.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/resourcedetail/pi_resourceid/59966 |title=The miracle of the boy who fell from the train. What really happened to Morgan Jones |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724200936/http://www.safekids.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/resourcedetail/pi_resourceid/59966 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |df=dmy }} Abstract of an article in the ''[[New Zealand Listener]]'' 145 (2839) September 1994 pp 16–22, by Denis Welch</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=356 |title=Safety improvements for Rail employees and travelling public in pipeline |date=28 July 2003 |author=Jim Anderton |author-link=Jim Anderton |publisher=[[New Zealand Progressive Party]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030816141807/http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=356 |archive-date=16 August 2003 |df=dmy }}</ref>
==Route and stations== The train runs daily between [[Christchurch]] and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]], stopping at [[Rangiora]], [[Kaikōura]], and [[Blenheim, New Zealand|Blenheim]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/coastal-pacific/route/stations/ |title=Coastal Pacific Stations |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830220333/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/coastal-pacific/route/stations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> along the Main North Line. It was introduced on Sunday, 25 September 1988 and takes 5 hours 20 minutes.
== Rolling stock == [[File:Seddon bridge.jpg|thumb|The Coastal Pacific crossing the double-decker rail and road bridge near [[Seddon, New Zealand|Seddon]] in April 2007]]
The initial rolling stock for the Coastal Pacific consisted of the last three original ''[[Southerner (New Zealand train)|Southerner]]'' day carriages. They were refurbished to the same design as the three AO class carriages on the ''TranzAlpine'' and the sole [[The Connoisseur car|Connoisseur]] carriage.<ref name="nzro_summer_1988" /> Two carriages seated 51 each in seats designed by [[Addington Workshops]], which were reupholstered and re-arranged, alcove-style, around tables. The third carriage became a 31-seat servery and observation carriage fitted out similarly to its ''TranzAlpine'' counterpart, but with detail differences in the buffet counter area. An FM class guards van was fitted with an 11-kW petrol generator at the handbrake end for power and baggage duties.<ref name="nzro_summer_1988" />
The new Coastal Pacific became a favourite with travellers, but it did not attract the same level of popularity as the ''TranzAlpine''. In 1993, a "backpackers" car (a former red Picton – Greymouth car with luggage space at one end) was introduced, for a cheaper option. This premise proved popular, as did adding five freight wagons authorised to travel at 100 km/h conveying priority freight for the North Island or deep South.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
In the early 1990s, the carriages were equipped with pressure ventilation like the ''[[Bay Express (train)|Bay Express]]'' carriages and the ''TranzAlpine'' rear observation carriage.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
===Connoisseur service=== On 19 January 1987, a private tourism firm leased a 29 (later 45) seat single-lavatory [[South Island Main Trunk Railway|South Island Main Trunk]] first-class car refurbished in 1970 for the [[Southerner (New Zealand train)|Southerner]] and attached it to the Picton train initially, before expanding its operation to Greymouth and later Invercargill. It was marketed as a luxury carriage: it offered the same level of comfort as other Southerner carriages, but the service was to a higher standard. Originally named the [[The Connoisseur car|Connoisseurs' Express]] carriage, it was heavily refurbished to offer superior quality service and renamed ''The Connoisseur'' carriage.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
=== Rebranding and re-equipping === [[File:TranzCoastal 03.JPG|thumb|right|Heading north through Christchurch]] During 1996, the original ''TranzAlpine'' observation carriage was thoroughly overhauled and air-conditioning installed, and this carriage, along with the two former ''[[Lynx Express (train)|Lynx Express]]'' carriages and the carriage with luggage space, were permanently assigned to this train. [[File:TranzCoastal 01.JPG|thumb|A Picton-bound ''Coastal Pacific'' departing Christchurch]] The backpackers' carriage was later replaced by the only former ''Southerner'' (later ''Northerner'') carriage to escape rebuilding as a panorama carriage or scrapping. It was fitted with 47 of the same type of Addington seat that it had had in the mid to late 1980s, all seats facing toward the two centre tables, one on both sides of the aisle of the carriage, and became the new backpackers' carriage. The former Connoisseur carriage, thoroughly refurbished the year before with air conditioning installed, assumed regular duty. The Lynx Express baggage van and later the first of the NIMT baggage vans were also allocated to this service. Later, the second backpacker carriage had air conditioning installed, and in late 2003, it was transferred north for use on the ''[[Overlander (train)|Overlander]]'' or ''[[Wairarapa Connection]]''.
The baggage van fitted out for the initial third NIMT passenger trainset in 1992 had its central and one end module converted into an open viewing area, while the other end module remained for luggage.
===New rolling stock=== [[File:Coastal Pacific at Christchurch.JPG|thumb|Coastal Pacific at Christchurch with new AK carriages in December 2011]] KiwiRail's built new carriages for the service at [[Hillside Engineering]], classed [[New Zealand AK class carriage|AK]]. The new carriages for the ''Coastal Pacific'' entered service toward the end of 2011.<ref name="TranzCoastal service resumes with new Coastal Pacific identity"/>
==See also== * ''[[Lynx Express]]'' * [[Main North Line, New Zealand|Main North Line]] (Picton-Christchurch)
==References== {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} *{{Churchman & Hurst Railways of New Zealand}} {{refend}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Coastal Pacific}} *[https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/coastal-pacific/ Coastal Pacific] * {{cite news |title=Train service restart a bit Irish |first=Ian |last=Allen |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/5451927/Train-service-restart-a-bit-Irish |newspaper=The Marlborough Express |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |location=Blenheim |date=16 August 2011 |accessdate=17 August 2011 }} *[http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/travel/a/21376736/open-views-for-pacific-panorama/ ''The West Australian:'' Open views for Pacific panorama] – description by Stephen Scourfield of a trip on the Coastal Pacific
{{NZR Passenger}}{{Public transport in New Zealand}}
[[Category:Long-distance passenger trains in New Zealand]] [[Category:Rail transport in the Canterbury Region]] [[Category:Rail transport in the Marlborough District]] [[Category:Railway services introduced in 1988]] [[Category:Named passenger trains of New Zealand]] [[Category:Picton, New Zealand]] [[Category:1988 establishments in New Zealand]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Christchurch]]