{{short description|Tourism division of KiwiRail}} {{redirect|InterCity Rail|the railway service|Inter-city rail}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Infobox company |name = Great Journeys New Zealand |former_name = KiwiRail Scenic Journeys<br>Tranz Scenic<br>InterCity Rail |logo = GreatJourneysNZ.png |logo_size = 300px |type = Brand |parent = KiwiRail (2017–present) |foundation = 2017 |location_city = Wellington |location_country = New Zealand |location = <!--modifies "Headquarters" entry--> |locations = <!--# of locations--> |key_people = |area_served = New Zealand |industry = Rail transport in New Zealand |products = |services = Long-distance passenger trains |revenue = |operating_income = |net_income = |num_employees = |divisions = |subsid = |homepage = {{URL|https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/}} |dissolved = |footnotes = |intl = }} thumb|300px| <div class="center"> KiwiRail passenger trains<br /> </div> {{legend|#FF33CC|Northern Explorer}} {{legend|#0000CC|Capital Connection}} {{legend|#00CC00|Coastal Pacific}} {{legend|#FF0000|TranzAlpine}}
'''Great Journeys New Zealand''' is the tourism division of KiwiRail that operate its three Scenic train services (TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific). The new division was launched in May 2017 and replaced the former tourism brand '''KiwiRail Scenic Journeys'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1705/S00356/the-great-journeys-of-new-zealand-launched-at-trenz-2017.htm|website=Scoop Independent News|title=The Great Journeys of New Zealand launch|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612180400/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1705/S00356/the-great-journeys-of-new-zealand-launched-at-trenz-2017.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It has continuity with the earlier '''InterCity Rail''' (1987–1995) and '''Tranz Scenic''' (1995–2011).
==History== thumb|Former logo of Tranz Scenic, 1995–2011. Passenger trains in New Zealand were operated by the New Zealand Railways Department from 1880 to 1981, alongside private rail operators such as the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. The department was corporatised as the New Zealand Railways Corporation (NZRC) in 1982, and later reorganised as a state-owned enterprise in 1986. A consulting study commissioned by the NZRC and carried out by Booz Allen Hamilton recommended re-orientation of long-distance passenger services toward tourist operations.<ref name="BoozAllenHamilton">{{cite journal|first=Bob|last=Stott|title=Booz Allen report in summary|journal=Rails|page=217|year=1984}}</ref>
The Fourth Labour Government passed the New Zealand Railways Corporation Restructuring Act 1990 on 28 August of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0105/latest/DLM222631.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_Railways+Corporation+Restructuring+Act+1990_resel_25_a&p=1|title=New Zealand Railways Corporation Restructuring Act 1990|publisher=Government of New Zealand|accessdate=18 August 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084007/http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0105/latest/DLM222631.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_Railways+Corporation+Restructuring+Act+1990_resel_25_a&p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Two months later, on 28 October 1990, the New Zealand government removed core rail transport and shipping operations from the New Zealand Railways Corporation, creating a separate entity called New Zealand Rail Limited, a Crown Transferee company created under the Act. New Zealand Rail Limited's long-distance passenger trains carried the InterCity Rail branding. New Zealand Rail Limited was privatised and sold to a consortium named TranzRail Holdings Limited in 1993 and changed its name to Tranz Rail in October 1995. As part of the rebranding exercise, InterCity Rail was renamed Tranz Scenic.
=== Tranz Scenic (2001) Ltd === As part of a restructuring programme, in November 2001, Tranz Scenic was incorporated as stand-alone subsidiary Tranz Scenic (2001) Limited. Tranz Rail then sold 50% of Tranz Scenic for $33 million to Donald Gibson and Gary McDonald, who were also directors of Australian railway operator West Coast Railway.<ref name="Auckland_metro">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=583728|title=Auckland rail deal clinched|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=24 December 2001|accessdate=10 January 2012|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113092804/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=583728|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0112/S00052/clarification-from-connex-re-tranzscenic.htm|title=Clarification From Connex Re: TranzScenic|publisher=Scoop|date=10 December 2021|access-date=2 January 2022|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102033522/https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0112/S00052/clarification-from-connex-re-tranzscenic.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale included long-distance passenger rolling stock and 10 diesel locomotives of the DC class (reclassified DCP), and two EF class electric locomotives. Tranz Rail intended to sell the remaining 50% share in Tranz Scenic, but this sale never eventuated.<ref name="behindthescenes">{{cite journal|journal=Rails|title=Behind-the-scenes action at Tranz Scenic|date=October 2002|issn=0110-6155}}</ref> West Coast Rail withdrew several long-distance trains that were not profitable, retaining the routes that had sufficient passenger numbers (see below).
Tranz Rail was taken over by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings in 2003. The company was renamed Toll NZ and did not retain any of the Tranz Rail directors. In July 2004, the 50% share of Tranz Scenic was purchased by Toll, as one of the West Coast Railway directors had died and the business was not performing adequately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=3567605|title=Toll NZ buys back Tranz Scenic passenger services|date=20 May 2004|accessdate=10 January 2012|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113093531/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=3567605|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2008, the New Zealand Government agreed to buy the rail and sea transport assets of Toll NZ Limited for $665 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00053.htm|title=Rail buy back marks new sustainable transport era|date=5 May 2008|accessdate=2008-05-05|archive-date=5 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505191641/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0805/S00053.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The government branded the new company KiwiRail.
=== KiwiRail era === thumb|Former logo of The Great Journeys of New Zealand, 2017–2022. In 2011, KiwiRail developed a new brand of passenger trains geared toward the increasing tourism industry in New Zealand. The new brand, named KiwiRail Scenic Journeys, was launched with new AK-class carriages designed to showcase New Zealand's scenery,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/tranzalpine/experience/on-board-our-trains/|title=On Board Our Trains|access-date=2018-04-08|language=en-NZ|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710182320/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/tranzalpine/experience/on-board-our-trains/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as providing long-distance passenger train services. During the transformation, the Tranz Coastal train was rebranded as the Coastal Pacific and the Overlander became the Northern Explorer; whereas the TranzAlpine's name was retained.
In July 2012, it was revealed that KiwiRail was considering selling the remaining services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/112009/opposition-parties-criticise-tranzscenic-plans|title=Opposition parties criticise Tranz Scenic plans|publisher=Radio New Zealand|date=1 August 2012|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=2 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802000741/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/112009/opposition-parties-criticise-tranzscenic-plans|url-status=live}}</ref> No buyers were found and the long-distance passenger services remain operated by KiwiRail Scenic Journeys.
Meanwhile, KiwiRail's ferry brand, Interislander, was building on its core business taking vehicles and freight across Cook Strait and looking to promote the trip as an iconic tourism experience and a scenic alternative to flying.
In 2017, KiwiRail decided to bring its rail and ferry operations together under one brand, '''The Great Journeys of New Zealand''', which offers a connected passenger service throughout New Zealand, from Auckland to Greymouth, via train and ferry. The division is now experiencing rapid double-digit annual growth, due to the growth of Chinese tourism to New Zealand, leading KiwiRail to announce that it may purchase eight AK-class carriages to add to the 17 purchased in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11850890|title=KiwiRail may spend $50M on new carriages|date=7 May 2017|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=12 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712215244/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11850890|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, KiwiRail announced the suspension two of its three services, the Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific. KiwiRail restarted the services from September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 2022 |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=2022-06-05 |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>
==Services==
===Scenic trains=== [[File:Northern Explorer at Wellington.JPG|thumb|The Northern Explorer about to depart from Wellington railway station with new AK class carriages.]] [[File:Tranz Scenic Locomotive 4761.jpg|thumb|DCPs 4761 and 4801 in Tranz Scenic livery hauling the TranzAlpine at Springfield.]] The Great Journeys of New Zealand operates four Scenic train services:<ref name="newzealandrail">https://newzealandrail.com/timetables</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Line ! Frequency (each way) ! Calling at ! Notes |- | Coastal Pacific | See notes | Picton, Blenheim, Seddon, Kaikōura, Waipara, Rangiora, Christchurch | History: Suspended from November 2016 to December 2018 as a result of significant line damage from the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/kaikoura-earthquake-derails-the-main-north-line/|title=Kaikoura earthquake rips through New Zealand|date=19 July 2018|publisher=The Great Journeys of New Zealand|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302025846/https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/blog/kaikoura-earthquake-derails-the-main-north-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2022 due to COVID.<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=2022-01-31|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><br />Actual: In 2025 the trains run once, daily, with the exception of 1 July to 12 July, when they only run on Friday to Monday.<ref name="newzealandrail" /> |- | Northern Explorer | Daily (see notes) | Auckland Strand, Papakura, Hamilton, Ōtorohanga, Taumarunui, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North, Paraparaumu, Wellington | Service reinstated recently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Explorer Train |url=https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/northern-explorer-train/ |access-date=2022-01-31 |website=Great Journeys of New Zealand |language=en-US |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324192639/https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/northern-explorer-train/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Runs southbound from Auckland on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays. Runs northbound from Wellington on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is no service on Tuesdays. |- |The Southerner |See notes |Christchurch, Rolleston, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin |Limited running in May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southerner to make short comeback in 2025 |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360529711/southerner-make-short-comeback-2025 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=www.thepress.co.nz}}</ref> |- | TranzAlpine | Daily | Christchurch, Rolleston, Darfield, Springfield, Arthur's Pass, Otira, Moana, Kokiri, Greymouth | |}
Capital Connection was also previously part of KiwiRail Scenic Journeys.
KiwiRail trialled excursions with its refurbished Silver Fern railcar to destinations including Napier and on the now mothballed Gisborne line as part of its Explore By Rail trips. Other Silver Fern tours included a Queen's Birthday day tour to Napier, tours to the Tui brewery via the Manawatū Gorge, an Easter Weekend trip to Gisborne, Valentine's Weekend and ANZAC Weekend tours to the central North Island. These excursions have been discontinued as of 2017.
===Cook Strait ferries=== Three Cook Strait passenger ferries operate under the brand Interislander:
{| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan=2| Image ! rowspan=2| Name ! rowspan=2| Built ! rowspan=2| Entered service ! colspan=3| Capacity ! rowspan=2| Notes |- ! Passengers ! Road ! Rail |- | 100px | ''Aratere'' | 1998 | 1999 | 600 + 31 crew | 1050 lane metres | 420 lane metres (32 wagons) | Numbers are post 2011 modifications. |- | 100px | ''Kaiārahi'' | 1998 | 2015 | 550 | 1900 | ''none'' | built 1998 as ''Dawn Merchant''; chartered temporarily by Interislander in 2014 as ''Stena Alegra'' while ''Aratere'' was out of service, then chartered long-term in 2015 and renamed ''Kaiarahi'' |- | 100px | ''Kaitaki'' | 1994 | 2005 | 1350 + 60 crew | 1780 lane metres (550 cars) | ''none'' | built 1994 as ''Isle of Innisfree''; chartered by Interislander in 2005 as ''Challenger''; renamed ''Kaitaki'' 2007 |}
KiwiRail Scenic Journeys's former Capital Connection train is not included in the Great Journeys of New Zealand brand. It is, however, operated by KiwiRail and subsidised by the Greater Wellington Regional Council as a long-distance commuter train.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Agenda-Reports/Regional-Transport-Committee-2017-7-03/1736%20Passenger%20Rail%20Working%20Party%20Update%20and%20Request%20for%20RLTP%20Variation.pdf|title=Regional Transport Committee 07 March 2017 PASSENGER RAIL WORKING PARTY UPDATE|website=Horizons Regional Council|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420235410/http://www.horizons.govt.nz/HRC/media/Media/Agenda-Reports/Regional-Transport-Committee-2017-7-03/1736%20Passenger%20Rail%20Working%20Party%20Update%20and%20Request%20for%20RLTP%20Variation.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Rolling stock== [[File:Coastal Pacific 01.JPG|thumb|New AK class carriages on the Coastal Pacific at Picton.]] In March 2009, the New Zealand Government confirmed funding of NZ$39.9 million for 17 AK Class carriages for the ''TranzAlpine'' and ''Coastal Pacific''. The class are the first passenger carriages to be designed and built in New Zealand for many years and were built at KiwiRail's Hillside Workshops in Dunedin, with three cars entering service on the ''Coastal Pacific'' on 2 November 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=New carriages debut on South-Island's rails |first=Kloe |last=Palmer |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/New-carriages-debut-on-South-Islands-rails/tabid/420/articleID/231623/Default.aspx |publisher=3 News |location=Christchurch |date=3 November 2011 |accessdate=3 November 2011 |archive-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212004242/http://www.3news.co.nz/New-carriages-debut-on-South-Islands-rails/tabid/420/articleID/231623/Default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
Further AK carriages were deployed on the new ''Northern Explorer'' and ''The TranzAlpine''. The ''Capital Connection'' uses 1970s built British Rail Mark 2 carriages, refurbished in New Zealand as the S Class.
== Livery == [[File:EF30163+Overlander NearWaiouru 22March2003 JChristianson.jpg|thumb|''The Overlander'' hauled by an EF class electric locomotive near Waiouru on the North Island Main Trunk.]]
The Tranz Scenic brand and blue livery has been replaced by white KiwiRail livery with the introduction of AK carriages on the Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine and Northern Explorer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/08/20/new-tranz-carriage-look/ |title=Auckland Trains – New Tranz Carriage Look |access-date=9 August 2019 |archive-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824171409/http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/08/20/new-tranz-carriage-look/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Former trains== In 2004, Tranz Scenic withdrew the ''Northerner'' overnight Auckland{{dash}}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 sell its two South Island trains,<ref name="TVNZ_720377">{{cite news |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425829/720377|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311093855/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425829/720377|archive-date=11 March 2007|title=Tranz Alpine journey up for grabs |date=22 May 2006 |work=One News |accessdate=24 November 2011}}</ref> the ''TranzAlpine'' and the ''TranzCoastal''. In July 2006, 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 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during winter and daily in high summer. In 2009, a resumption of seven-day-a-week operation was announced, a result of increasing passenger numbers. {{Wikinews|Toll to cancel Overlander train service}} However, the ''Overlander'' ceased operations in 2012, being superseded by the ''Northern Explorer'' service, again on limited days of the week.
=== Withdrawn 1995 === * The ''Lynx Express'': Picton—Christchurch
=== Withdrawn 2001 === * The ''Bay Express'': Wellington—Napier * The ''Geyserland'': Auckland—Rotorua * The ''Kaimai Express'': Auckland—Tauranga * The ''Waikato Connection'': Hamilton—Auckland
=== Withdrawn 2002 === * The ''Southerner'': Christchurch—Dunedin—Invercargill
=== Withdrawn 2004 === * The'' Northerner'': Auckland{{dash}}Wellington overnight
=== Withdrawn 2012 === * The ''Overlander'': Auckland{{dash}}Wellington daily; replaced by the ''Northern Explorer'' running alternate days.
==See also== *KiwiRail *Rail transport in New Zealand
==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist}}
===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book|last1=Brett|first1=André|last2=van der Weerden|first2=Sam|title=Can't Get There From Here - New Zealand Passenger Rail Since 1920|publisher=Otago University Press|isbn=9781990048098|year=2021}} {{refend}}
==External links== * {{official website}}
{{NZ RailOps}} {{NZR Passenger}}
Category:Long-distance passenger trains in New Zealand Category:Railway companies of New Zealand Category:Scenic routes in New Zealand