Coastal Pacific facts for kids
The Coastal Pacific on the Kaikoura Coast
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail |
| Status | Operating |
| Locale | Upper South Island, New Zealand |
| First service | 1988 |
| Current operator(s) | The Great Journeys of New Zealand |
| Former operator(s) | InterCity Rail (1988–1995) Tranz Scenic (1995–2012) KiwiRail Scenic Journeys (2012–2017) |
| Route | |
| Start | Christchurch |
| Stops | 2 |
| End | Picton |
| 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 |
The Coastal Pacific is a special passenger train in New Zealand. It travels along the beautiful eastern coast of the South Island. The train connects the city of Christchurch with Picton. Picton is a port town where you can catch a ferry to Wellington on the North Island.
This train is run by The Great Journeys of New Zealand. This is a part of KiwiRail, New Zealand's national railway company. For a while, from 2000 to 2011, the train was known as the TranzCoastal. It was also the first train to use the modern AK class carriages.
The train service had to stop a few times. Once was after a big earthquake in 2016 that damaged the railway line. It started running again in December 2018. The New Zealand government even gave money to KiwiRail to help the train run all year round. They also wanted to improve the stations in Kaikoura, Blenheim, and Picton. The service also paused in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It later restarted with a limited schedule.
Contents
The Coastal Pacific Journey
The Coastal Pacific train offers an amazing journey. It takes you through stunning landscapes. You'll see the Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains on the other. The train has large windows. There's even an open-air viewing carriage. This lets you get fresh air and take great photos.
What to Expect Onboard
The train has comfortable seats. Some seats are like those on an airplane. Others are in alcoves with tables. You can buy food and drinks from the on-board café. There are also toilets available. If you use a wheelchair, there's a special hoist in the café car to help you get on board.
History of the Train
The Coastal Pacific train has an interesting history. It started in 1988. Before that, a train called the Picton Express ran on the same route.
A New Beginning
In 1988, the railway company decided to make the train better. They wanted it to be like the popular TranzAlpine train. So, on September 25, 1988, the "Coastal Pacific Express" was launched. This new train had a café. This meant passengers didn't need to stop in Kaikoura for refreshments anymore.
Changes and Upgrades
Over the years, the train changed owners. In 2008, the New Zealand government bought the rail services. This meant KiwiRail took over. KiwiRail has worked to improve its long-distance passenger trains, including the Coastal Pacific.
Facing Challenges
The train service has faced some challenges.
- In 2011, a big earthquake hit Christchurch. The train service had to stop for a while. Buses replaced it until the railway line was safe again. When it restarted, it went back to its original name, the Coastal Pacific.
- Since 2013, the train has mostly run during the busy tourist season. This is usually from September to April. It often doesn't run in the colder winter months.
- In November 2016, another very strong earthquake hit the Kaikoura area. This caused many landslides. Parts of the railway line were destroyed. The train service had to stop for a long time. It finally started running again on December 1, 2018.
New Carriages
KiwiRail built brand new carriages for the train. These are called AK class carriages. They were built at Hillside Engineering. These modern carriages started being used on the Coastal Pacific in late 2011. They offer a more comfortable and enjoyable ride for passengers.
Images for kids
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The Coastal Pacific crossing the double-decker rail and road bridge near Seddon in April 2007
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A Picton-bound Coastal Pacific departing Christchurch
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Heading north through Christchurch
