90-582: The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter train operated by KiwiRail between Palmerston North and the capital city of Wellington on the North Island Main Trunk . In 2018, the service faced funding issues, but the Government ensured that the service would continue, with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA, otherwise known as Waka Kotahi) and regional councils investing in subsidies and
180-746: A "Backpackers" car, the TranzCoastal Express in 1996, was also working the service in 2003. While on the TranzCoastal it was fitted with air-conditioning. This is not the first time this carriage has worked the Wairarapa services; in 1995, while assigned to the NIMT and sporting the InterCity blue with white stripe and green band, it ran on the Wairarapa Connection for a time with the first car-van to receive
270-626: A $ 40 million allocation to KiwiRail from the PGF. In 2019, the government began a "Future of Rail" review, and in December 2019 released a draft New Zealand Rail Plan, outlining changes it proposed making to the rail transport industry and KiwiRail specifically. The draft plan proposes a number of major changes, the most significant being future funding of the rail network through the National Land Transport Fund, and charging rail operators to use
360-526: A Whanganui – Palmerston North train service akin to this inter-regional proposal. The service's rolling stock was refurbished in 2022/2023 at the Hutt Workshops. The carriages left the workshop on 22 February 2023 for Palmerston North. The new set includes six S class coaches, refurbished in a Suburban Regional (SR) style similar to Te Huia (including SR5968), and a refurbished baggage carriage (AG176). The service began using standard NZR 56-foot carriages :
450-404: A base track access fee but left future track access fees open to negotiation between ONTRACK and Toll. After several years of negotiations, the two parties could not come to an agreement on the amount that Toll should pay. On 1 July 2008, the government announced the purchase for $ 690 million of Toll Rail, the rail and ferry assets of Toll NZ, but not its trucking operation, which continued under
540-552: A congested road. In August 2012 Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons ( Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council) proposed a business case for a subsidy which was evaluated by NZTA. The business case argued that: In March 2013, the Member of Parliament for Palmerston North , Iain Lees-Galloway , presented a petition of 2,000 signatures supporting the service at a parliamentary select committee hearing. In May 2014 he said that he
630-588: A decision on the service in August 2012. Patronage dropped by 26,000 trips per annum (from 185,472 trips in the 2008–09 financial year to 159,641 in the 2011–12 financial year.) The Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Horowhenua District Council proposed partial funding but needed the NZTA to agree to continue the service. NZTA's public transport funding criteria require that a service must reduce traffic on
720-496: A former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton – Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars. On Monday 15 November 1999,
810-550: A generator. In 2006, Hillside Engineering won the contract from the Greater Wellington Regional Council to rebuild 18 British Rail Mark 2 carriages to replace the fleet. They are classified SW for cars with passenger saloon only, SWS with servery and SWG with luggage compartment and generator for power supply. The S stands for "Scenic Series" and "W" for "Wairarapa", to distinguish them from their Capital Connection counterparts, classified S. On 11 May 2007,
900-619: A joint venture with the Northland Regional Council to build a branch line (the Marsden Point Branch ) to connect to Northport at Marsden Point. Anchor freight customers: Key anchor customers include Fonterra, Westland Dairy Products (Rolleston and Hokitika), Bathurst resources and the various freight forwarders including Mainfreight and port companies including Port of Tauranga. Freight wagons: KiwiRail operates 4,855 wagons . An additional 120 wagons were acquired in
990-406: A larger fleet of trains and updated stations. The Plan states that buses may be able to connect regional towns to this upgraded service. A detailed business case is being created to analyse any improvements. The Horizons Plan also noted that KiwiRail is investigating an inter-regional connector service, which would connect districts to urban services. Horizons note that there is opportunity to create
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#17328559815621080-437: A new train entered service, made up of seven (later eight) British Rail Mark 2 cars and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power and baggage van, with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and more spacious inside, with more headroom, full air-conditioning, 60 seats per car (28 in
1170-448: A new, brighter shade of red, with white roofs as opposed to the standard silver oxide. In the early 1980s, with the refurbishment of the Picton and Greymouth services and the decision to use the former Endeavour carriages on new Gisborne-Wellington services, former 88-seater railcars painted a distinctive green and nicknamed "Grass Grubs" , were introduced to the Wairarapa service. However,
1260-476: A position he held until 1 July 2010. Bolger's government had privatised New Zealand Rail Limited in 1993. A number of commentators, including Winston Peters , view this as ironic. In response, Bolger acknowledged his involvement in privatising New Zealand Rail, remarking that "my life is full of ironies," and added that "the world has changed." In 2011, KiwiRail proposed splitting its land and rail corridor assets from its rail operation assets. On 27 June 2012 it
1350-438: A similar refurbishment and rebranding program was initiated for the sixteen Wairarapa carriages, though only 12 were actually overhauled. This program lasted four years, until 1997. Six A cars and three of four ALs were thoroughly overhauled and refurbished with new-style seats. These vehicles were fitted with cloth on the interior walls to reduce noise and were fully carpeted. A class carriages seated 59, as one toilet from each car
1440-417: A spare 4-car SW consist. The 9-carriage SW and SE consist operates two services: 1603 (the 06:20 ex-Masterton) and 1606 (the 16:25 ex-Wellington). The two 6-carriage consists alternate daily, one set operating 1605 (the 06:47 ex-Masterton) and 1608 (the 17:30 ex-Wellington) while the other operates the remaining six services. There is also a luggage and generator carriage, AG 222, used to supplement or replace
1530-486: A subsidy for the service for another three years. KiwiRail Scenic Journeys said there would be maintenance and repairs for each of the carriages, at staggered intervals over the next 12 months, to improve the service. In 2016, it was reported patronage on the service had increased for the first time in three years. Proposals to improve the service have been made throughout the train's life. This includes one by Palmerston North City Councillor Chris Teo-Sherrell to terminate
1620-1333: A total of 17 rail freight depots. In the North Island, these are Whangārei , Auckland, Hamilton , Tauranga, New Plymouth, Napier, Whanganui , Palmerston North , Masterton and Wellington . In the South Island they are Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Inland Ports : KiwiRail serves a number of Inland Port yards, although does not own the tracks. These include Conlinxx (Wiri), Midland Port (Rolleston), Longburn International Freight Hub (Longburn, Palmerston North), Manawatu Inland Port (Palmerston North), MetroPort (Southdown in Auckland and Rolleston in Christchurch) and will include Ruakura (Hamilton) when it opens in 2019, and Ports of Auckland's site at Horotiu in Hamilton. Sea Ports : KiwiRail has major freight yards and sidings at Lyttelton port Company ( containers , logs , coal ), Port Chalmers (containers), Southport (Bluff), Timaru, Port of Tauranga (Mt Maunganui and Sulphur Point), Ports of Auckland, CentrePort (Wellington) , Port of Napier and New Plymouth. KiwiRail also has
1710-507: Is a major land owner in New Zealand, and manages over 18 thousand hectares of land, has in excess of 1,500 property assets with a combined value of over $ 965 million (Annual Report 2016). Increasingly, KiwiRail is pursuing a commercial approach to asset management, and in the 2016 financial year received over $ 18 million from property sales. Re-branded along with Interislander as the single brand The Great Journeys of New Zealand in 2017, it
1800-401: Is currently, as of January 2022, unclear what direction KiwiRail intends to take, Project Restart suggests a shift to multi-day land-cruises, a form of Experiential tourism . This decision, or potential decision, has been seen by many New Zealand-based transport advocacy groups as an abandonment of interregional rail by KiwiRail. Campaign for Better Transport described it as the "latest stage in
1890-584: Is expected to improve operation of the service. In 2019, the GWRC proposed replacing in 2025 the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection trains with 15 four-car dual-mode multiple units , to operate from overhead power from Wellington to Upper Hutt or an on-board power source north of Upper Hutt; to cost $ 415 million. In February 2020, the GWRC announced that the Wairarapa Connection carriages were to be refurbished to extend their life until new rolling stock
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#17328559815621980-491: Is introduced. In 2023 it was announced that 18 four-car trains will be built for Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa lines. The New Zealand Upgrade Programme announced on 30 January 2020 included for the Wairarapa Line passing loops at Carterton, Featherston and Maymorn and a second platform at Featherston. Improvements planned for the Wairarapa Line beyond Upper Hutt from 2021 to 2024 include track renewals with full renewal in
2070-531: Is now experiencing rapid double-digit annual growth, due to the growth of Chinese tourism to New Zealand, so much so that KiwiRail in 2017 may purchase an additional eight carriages to the 17 AK carriages purchased in 2012. In 2021, following a decline in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, KiwiRail announced the suspension of the Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer as part of Project Restart '22. While it
2160-518: Is responsible for consists of: The Engineering division provides mechanical assistance to the Freight and Passenger businesses, as well as to Auckland Transport. Engineering maintains, refurbishes and occasionally builds rolling stock for the network. In 2012, KiwiRail announced it was putting its Hillside Engineering division on the market. and subsequently sold part of the division and transferred remaining work to Hutt workshops. KiwiRail now operates
2250-502: Is the company's largest business unit, making up the majority of KiwiRail's revenue with $ 390 million in the financial year ended July 2016. In the same year, KiwiRail moved around 18 million tonnes of freight and carried about 16% of New Zealand's total freight task (tonnes-km). Traffic grew from 2017 to 2019, dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic and largely recovered in 2022. Freight types: Timber and dairy products formed 60% of
2340-533: Is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand . KiwiRail has business units of KiwiRail Freight, Great Journeys New Zealand and Interislander . The company was formed in 2008 when the government renationalised above-rail operations (having previously renationalised the network in 2004) and inter-island ferry operations, then owned by Toll Holdings. In 2021, the government launched the New Zealand Rail Plan, with funding for rail projects to come from
2430-539: Is the long-distance passenger transport subsidiary of KiwiRail, operating the Northern Explorer , TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific . The passenger trains are predominantly patronised by tourists to NZ, with the exception of the Capital Connection, which is a commuter train. In 2012, KiwiRail attempted to sell Tranz Scenic , but was unsuccessful, and KiwiRail continues to run these services. The division
2520-557: The 2017 budget the government announced a further $ 450 million in capital funding for KiwiRail, and that the company's operations would be placed under another major review, believed to relate to future funding models. The $ 450 million was earmarked for repairs following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and for further locomotive and rolling stock purchases. As part of the Turnaround Plan's agenda to standardise locomotives and wagons, in 2016 KiwiRail announced it would effectively switch off
2610-516: The Capital Connection commuter service to Palmerston North and the Te Huia between Auckland and Hamilton ), the Wairarapa Connection service continues due to the Wairarapa's proximity to Wellington and the advantage of the 8.8 km Rimutaka Tunnel through the Remutaka Ranges compared to the narrow and winding Rimutaka Hill Road over them. In the year to 30 June 2013, the service's ridership
2700-494: The Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) proposed replacing the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection trains with 15 four-car bi-mode multiple units by 2025. These trains are estimated to cost $ 415 million. The "infrastructure spendup" announced on 30 January 2020 included some upgrading of the present rolling stock but not the proposed hybrid trains (see New Zealand Upgrade Programme ). For
2790-538: The Hutt Workshops in the Hutt Valley of Wellington , along with a number of small wagon maintenance depots, for example, at Addington (Christchurch) and Frankton. Most rail operations are a 'there and back' service with motive power being held in a few key strategic locations. Motive power stabling yards are as follows: Some of the more prominent rail facilities used by KiwiRail include: The table below lists only
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2880-571: The Kapiti Line as far as Levin was pushed for by transport minister Michael Wood ; adding an extra 35 km to the line to (or past) Ōtaki. In 2023 it was announced that 18 four-car trains will be built for Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa lines. KiwiRail KiwiRail Holdings Limited is a New Zealand state-owned enterprise (SOE) responsible for rail operations in New Zealand and operates inter-island ferries. Trading as KiwiRail and headquartered at 604 Great South Road, Ellerslie , KiwiRail
2970-411: The Kapiti Line services were extended north from Paraparaumu to Waikanae , the Capital Connection would lose passengers. In 2010, KiwiRail stated it would consider changes after evaluating what impact the metro system has on the Capital Connection's patronage. The extension to Waikanae was opened in 2011. By July 2012 the future of the service seemed to be very uncertain. KiwiRail announced it would make
3060-685: The Wairarapa Connection service. Suburban rail passenger operations in Auckland and Wellington are contracted by their respective local governments and not operated by KiwiRail. In Auckland rolling stock is owned by Auckland Transport which has contracted operation to Auckland One Rail , while in Wellington rolling stock is owned by Greater Wellington Regional Council which has contracted operation to Transdev Wellington. The KiwiRail Infrastructure and Engineering division, formerly known as ONTRACK, has three main areas of operation: The network it
3150-621: The Wairarapa Line between Masterton , the largest town in the Wairarapa , and Wellington . It is operated by Wellington suburban operator Transdev (with KiwiRail sub-contracted to operate the locomotives) under contract from the Greater Wellington Regional Council. It is a diesel -hauled carriage service, introduced by the New Zealand Railways Department in 1964 after passenger demand between Masterton to Wellington exceeded
3240-456: The 100 km/h standard carriage train speed. The Wairarapa Connection is the only diesel-hauled service operated by Metlink, hauled by diesel-electric locomotives from KiwiRail's fleet. Usually four locomotives are allocated weekly to the Wairarapa Line, operating the Wairarapa Connection and Masterton–Wellington freight services. Since July 2015, DFB class locomotives have been used. DBR , DC class and DA class locomotives were used in
3330-676: The Auckland Suburban network have been relocated from storage in Tauramanui. They are currently being refurbished to a similar design of the new Te Huia Hamilton to Auckland train under the Upgrade New Zealand Programme. The 12 refurbished carriages will enter service in 2022. with component delivery delays, now mid 2023. A near complete and painted overhauled carriage SR6010 was shown to journalists. The S cars have now been withdrawn from service. The S class consist of carriages
3420-511: The Featherston portal after an electrical fault in locomotive DC 4951's control gear. The Rimutaka Tunnel is a radio dead-spot, and the train driver and guard found the Train Control telephones on the tunnel wall to be dead. Shortly afterwards, the tunnel alarm sounded at Upper Hutt signal box indicating the train had been in the tunnel for more than 15 minutes, and a full-scale emergency response
3510-636: The Governments energy and emissions policies, and while the government is also actively considering extending the North Island electrification for the first time since the 1980s. KiwiRail has made use of the Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). In 2019 KiwiRail signed an agreement with the New Zealand Transport Agency , Palmerston North City Council to construct a road, rail and air distribution centre in Palmerston North , following
3600-485: The Masterton end of train) an SWG, an SW, an SWS, and then the remaining SW carriages. Because of the short platforms at Renall Street, Solway, Matarawa and Maymorn stations, selective door operation is employed and passengers are asked to alight from the three northernmost (Masterton-end) carriages. In July 2013, the six SE class BR MkII carriages, which had been used as a temporary measure with top-and-tailed EO class electric locomotives in Wellington for two years until
3690-436: The NIMT electrification in late 2017 and replace the electric locomotives with an additional eight DL locomotives (additional to the 15 as reported in the 2016 Annual Report). On 30 October 2018 that capital funding was made available to by the new Labour-led Coalition government to refurbish 15 of the surviving 20 EF locomotives at the Hutt Workshops extending the service life by 10 years for their continued use, in line with
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3780-601: The National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), and with KiwiRail remaining an SOE but paying Track Access Charges (TACs) to use the network. Prior to the establishment of KiwiRail, rail transport in New Zealand has been under both public and private ownership. Government operators included the Public Works Department (1873–1880), New Zealand Railways Department (1880–1982), and the New Zealand Railways Corporation (1982–1990). New Zealand Rail Limited
3870-605: The Palmerston North-Wellington Capital Connection and the SR class carriages, which KiwiRail owns and leases for the Te Huia Hamilton to Auckland regional service. Twelve carriages are also being overhauled to replace the current S class carriages and will be deployed in two sets of six. Wairarapa Connection The Wairarapa Connection is a New Zealand interurban commuter rail service along
3960-525: The SWG or SEG carriages. If the SWG/SEG carriage is replaced, an extra SW/SE carriage is added, making the consist AG–SW–SW–SWS–SW... There are five trains each way between Masterton and Wellington Monday to Friday: three at peak times, to Wellington in the morning and to Masterton in the evening; and two inter-peak. A sixth service operates late Friday night. On weekends and public holidays , two services operate, one in
4050-503: The Toll brand. The new company was named KiwiRail and launched on 1 October 2008 at a ceremony at Wellington railway station. The New Zealand Railways Corporation then owned both KiwiRail and ONTRACK, with both companies merging to create one company that controls both rail and ferry operations and rail infrastructure. Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger became the first chair of the KiwiRail board,
4140-404: The arrival of the new "Matangi" FP/FT class EMUs , were introduced on the Wairarapa Connection. They made up a fourth set of carriages, increasing capacity and allowing more flexibility, but were criticised by for their smaller seat pitch, poor lighting, and lack of tray tables and power outlets. The pitch issues were rectified over the 2013 Christmas period by removing a row of seats and adjusting
4230-603: The capacity of the diesel railcars then used. The 91-kilometre (57 mi) service operates five times daily in each direction Monday to Friday, three peak and two off-peak, with an additional service each way on Friday nights and two services each way on weekends and public holidays. It stops at all stations from Masterton to Upper Hutt , then runs express along the Hutt Valley Line to Wellington, stopping only at Waterloo and Petone stations. While most regional passenger trains in New Zealand have been withdrawn (apart from
4320-415: The carriages could not be evacuated quickly in the event of a fire. The doors were modified so they would open automatically if the compressed air supply is lost. In 2017, a survey found a desire for more off-peak and weekend services and a more punctual service. In July, Labour leader Andrew Little promised expenditure on the line from the proposed regional development fund. The Wellington Metro upgrade
4410-482: The contract to supply 57 new locomotives for KiwiRail. Stadler Rail stated the contract was worth 228 million Euros, or NZD $ 403 million. The 2022 budget allocated $ 661.5 million to KiwiRail, with $ 312.3 million for improving the national rail network and $ 349.2 million for completing the replacement of "ageing" locomotives and freight wagons, including up to 29 new light-duty locomotives. The total government investment increases to $ 8.6 billion. KiwiRail Freight
4500-470: The current locomotives in service with KiwiRail. The majority of passenger carriages in New Zealand are now owned by Auckland Transport , Greater Wellington Regional Council and Dunedin Railways . KiwiRail operates a small fleet of New Zealand built AK class carriages for long-distance passenger trains and heavily rebuilt former British Mark 2 carriages in several configurations, the S class carriages for
4590-405: The decline of what was once an extensive passenger rail service which serviced most of New Zealand". An announcement is expected by July 2022. Until 2016, KiwiRail division Tranz Metro had the contract to operate the Wellington services but lost a bid to renew this contract in 2015. KiwiRail is sub-contracted by Transdev Wellington to provide and operate the diesel locomotives required to haul
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#17328559815624680-770: The demand between Masterton and Wellington was exceeding the capacity of the 88-seater railcars, with a capacity of 176 with two railcars. The solution was to introduce a diesel-hauled carriage service. In 1964, six 56-foot carriages from the South Island were transferred north and fitted with Webasto kerosene-burning heaters for the service. They seated 336 passengers on two-person bench-type Scarrett seats: class A passenger cars seated 56 and AL car-vans (with luggage compartment) seated 47. In 1976, three more As and an AL were added, later joined by another A and AL, all overhauled. They were fitted with fluorescent strip lighting similar to Northerner and Endeavour cars, and painted in
4770-693: The doors of all SW and SE carriages. Until April 2011, the minimum fare also applied to those boarding Wellington-bound services after Maymorn. This was temporarily removed in April 2011 to help alleviate a rolling stock shortage brought about by the delayed introduction of the Matangi electric multiple units, and was later made permanent in October 2011. The Wairarapa Connection has been involved in several accidents. Most have occurred at level crossings , where road vehicles have passed warning signs or signals and have been hit by
4860-581: The first four cars entered service, with three more introduced on 18 June 2007 making up a 7-car consist. The remaining 11 cars entered service incrementally by the end of 2007. The inaugural run of the first four cars was on 14 May 2007, being met by the Minister of Transport, Annette King , on arrival on Platform 9 at Wellington at 9.20 am. It departed Masterton at 7.30 am, and called at Carterton at 7.48 am, Featherston at 8.09 am and Upper Hutt at 8.32 am The first run in service
4950-594: The first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin seat covers. Later,
5040-663: The following points: Two of KiwiRail's major customers, Mainfreight and Fonterra , invested heavily in rail-related infrastructure in line with the Turnaround Plan. Mainfreight has allocated $ 60 million for investment in new railhead depots, while Fonterra has invested $ 130 million in a new rail hub complex in Hamilton and another in Mosgiel . The plan has had mixed success, with company Chairman John Spencer stating in 2013 that for its first three years, rail freight revenue had increased by over 25%. Similar progress in attaining new customers and increasing freight volumes has been made over
5130-434: The future of KiwiRail's regional passenger rail services, the Capital Connection and Te Huia (2022) see: The 2021–2031 Horizons Regional Land Transport Plan recognised the importance of the service to the region and the environment. It also stated that the service, carriages and locomotives would need to be upgraded if it was to continue operating past 2025. The Plan also provides for higher frequency of trains, utilising
5220-523: The government in 2001). The rail network then came under the New Zealand Railways Corporation (trading as ONTRACK). As part of this acquisition, Toll agreed to pay ONTRACK "Track Access Charges" (TACs) in exchange for exclusive network access for 66 years, subject to a "use it or lose it clause": if freight and passenger volumes fell below their 2002-2004 average for three or more years, Toll would lose its exclusive access. The agreement set
5310-419: The interim. These included two former Auckland charter cars that were refurbished in 1993. These two cars were then permanently allocated to the Wairarapa. A former 1988 Southerner car turned NIMT no-frills car, later fitted with air-conditioning, was then permanently allocated to the Wairarapa. The sole remaining former single-lavatory first-class car, which served in the 1970 Southerner, 1988 Northerner and, as
5400-467: The life of the Plan to date (other than with coal). Steady and at times rapid progress has been made on the enabling parts of the Turnaround Plan, such as new locomotives and wagons, lengthening of the rail ferry and track destressing, but not always effectively. The 10 Year Turnaround Plan was quickly undermined by a series of adverse events, including: Partially as a response to the events outlined above, in
5490-468: The location of the remainder, and additional tables fitted. The SE set operates as a 'standalone' consist, since the SE and SW carriages have slightly different electrical systems and cannot be mixed. As of June 2019 this issue has been fixed. As of June 2019 , there are three consists: an 9-carriage train consisting of 6 SE carriages and 3 SW carriages, a 6-carriage SW consist and another 6-carriage SW consist, plus
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#17328559815625580-488: The morning and one in the evening. Train numbers for the service are 1601 to 1616. The 6 specifies the train leaves Wellington via the Hutt Valley Line, while the 1 specifies a Masterton-bound service (2 indicates Upper Hutt, 4 indicates Taita, and 5 indicates Melling). Down services (towards Wellington) have odd numbers, while up services (towards Masterton) have even numbers To avoid Hutt Valley passengers overcrowding
5670-420: The morning, returning in the evening. The service stops at 5 stations within the Wellington and Manawatū-Whanganui regions. On Sunday 19 June 1994, a weekend service from Palmerston North to Wellington and return started. The power/baggage van, catering car and 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car (ex Masterton) made up the consist. It attracted minimal patronage and was withdrawn later that year. In 2019,
5760-419: The partial sale of Tranz Scenic (the long-distance passenger division of Tranz Rail), the company sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services (which remained in Wellington under Tranz Metro), operation of the train was transferred to Tranz Scenic. KiwiRail is the current operator of the service. The train operates Monday to Friday from Palmerston North to Wellington in
5850-580: The past. Carriages are the SW class, rebuilt British Rail Mark 2 carriages introduced in 2007 to replace the NZR 56-foot carriages used since the service's introduction, some of which were 70 years old. Eighteen carriages are used – twelve SW with 64 seats; three SWS with 37 seats, wheelchair hoist and disabled toilet; and three SWG with 37 seats, luggage compartment and generator. The carriages are formed into three sets of between three and eight carriages, consisting of (from
5940-575: The phasing in of the new all-over Cato blue livery of the new Tranz Rail corporate image, a light blue 350-mm full-length stripe was introduced, and a new name for Cityrail, Tranz Metro . From the beginning of the refurbishment of the seventh car, the new Cato blue livery was applied, along with the Tranz Metro logo. In 1995, two of the four ALs were equipped with generators similar to those installed in power-baggage vans used by long-distance passenger trains, making them power-luggage vans. In 2002 one car
6030-482: The rail network via Track Access Charges. A number of other projects are proposed under the draft plan. They include a new train control centre in Auckland, replacing two Interislander ferries and rolling stock. On 17 March 2020 KiwiRail released a tender for the supply of new mainline locomotives. 2021 New Zealand budget allocated NZD $ 722.7 million to purchase new mainline locomotives, shunt locomotives and wagons. In October 2021, Stadler Rail announced it had won
6120-551: The replenishment of rolling stock. The modernisation and replacement of the service has been included in Horizons' 2021–2031 Regional Land Transport Plan. The service would be replaced by a modern and more frequent service with a larger train fleet. The service started on Monday 15 April 1991 as the Cityrail Express , with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North – Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides. Concerns were raised that once
6210-540: The servery car), and twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and airline-style, using their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. Since October 2016, fire suppressed DFB class locomotives have been assigned to the service. They have been repainted from Tranz Scenic standard "Cato blue" into Capital Connection livery. The S cars made their last journey to Palmerston North on 28 July 2023. The SR carriages took over from Monday 31st. 12 former Maxx / Auckland Transport SA class used on
6300-514: The service in Waikanae to connect to the Kapiti Tranz Metro services, and another by Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith to double the daily frequency. Neither of these proposals were adopted. From 1991, the train was operated by New Zealand Rail suburban passenger division CityRail, which was re-branded Tranz Metro in 1995 when New Zealand Rail itself was rebranded Tranz Rail . In 2001, with
6390-415: The service, passengers boarding a Masterton-bound Wairarapa Connection service at Wellington and alighting before Maymorn station must pay the full fare from Wellington to Maymorn ($ 10.50 as of July 2016 ). Those using ten-trip tickets and monthly passes must pay the cash fare difference as a surcharge, i.e. $ 5.00 for Petone and Waterloo, $ 1.00 for Upper Hutt. Warnings about the minimum fare are placed on
6480-552: The single brand The Great Journeys of New Zealand in 2017, The Interislander is the company's second largest business unit. It operates ferry services across Cook Strait between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island . In the financial year 2012, $ 123.9M of KiwiRail's revenue came from the Interislander, with the majority of the Interislander's revenue coming from rail and road freight transport. KiwiRail
6570-414: The slip and the derailed rolling stock blocked the line, preventing services operating until Sunday evening (26 July). The accident highlighted a flaw in the design of the pneumatically-operated interior doors in the SW carriages, which stuck in position when the compressed air supply was lost as a result of the locomotive being shut down. Three people were needed to open them by hand, sparking concerns that
6660-409: The three remaining Endeavour cars, of which two were ALs, became redundant, so the 54-seat A car and one 46-seat AL were assigned to Wairarapa services. With the streamlining of Greymouth expresses into one out-and-back operation, one Picton car became surplus to requirements and joined the Masterton fleet. In 1993, after the successful re-introduction and rebranding of the Capital Connection service,
6750-410: The tonnage moved in 2022. Bulk commodities include coal, logs, milk ( dry and wet ), IMEX (import/export intermodal) and domestic intermodal freight . Formerly large scale freight types such as petroleum products have entirely been withdrawn, and fertilizer has almost disappeared. The freight trading revenue by sector, as per the December 2016 Half Year Report is: Rail freight depots : KiwiRail has
6840-509: The train. There are 28 public level crossings between Rimutaka tunnel and Masterton, of which three are controlled by alarms and barrier arms, 19 by alarms only, and six by signs only. Between Wellington and the Rimutaka tunnel there are four, all controlled by alarms and barrier arms. On 17 October 1997, the mid-morning service to Wellington broke down 2.5 km into the Rimutaka Tunnel from
6930-448: The tunnel (which has a gradient of 0.25% to 0.55%) if they became disabled. Emergency services on either side of the tunnel now carry out training exercises every 2–3 years in preparation for such a situation. On 23 July 2009, the 17:33 service to Masterton hit a mudslide blocking the line just north of Maoribank tunnel near Maymorn. The locomotive, DCP4818, and the first carriage, SWG3422, derailed . Only minor injuries were reported, but
7020-588: The underframes were not designed to be towed in the long term and they deteriorated rapidly, bringing about their demise by 1985. The introduction of the EM class "Ganz-Mavag" electric multiple units to the Wellington suburban system meant eleven 56-foot carriages became available, and the cancellation of the unnamed daylight successor to the New Plymouth Night Express that ran between New Plymouth and Taumarunui freed more. A wooden 50-foot Z bogie box wagon
7110-526: The year ending 2016, with over 1,000 new wagons added since 2008. One of KiwiRail's stated aims is to progressively move towards standardized wagons, with the container flat-top being overwhelmingly the dominant type (carrying curtain sided swap bodies , liquid containers , Log cradles and so on to meet almost all freight tasks). The Norwegian coupling is progressively being replaced with semi-automatic Janney coupler on all wagons. Key freight routes: Re-branded along with KiwiRail Scenic Journeys as
7200-417: The years following. In support of the turn-around plan, from July 2008 to December 2016 KiwiRail received over $ 2.1 billion of Crown investment, which was mostly spent on infrastructure and new rolling stock. The focus of the Plan is to increase rail traffic volumes, revenue and productivity, modernise assets and separate out the commercial elements of the business from the non-commercial. The plan included
7290-543: Was 705,000, down slightly from 719,000 in the 2011/12-year. 780,000 used the train in 2019. Before the Wairarapa Connection, 88 seater railcars were used between Masterton and Wellington. They had replaced the steam -hauled mixed trains and Wairarapa class railcars in 1955, when the Rimutaka Tunnel opened and the line became the first fully dieselised line in New Zealand. The Wairarapa Mail carriage train ran between Wellington and Woodville until 1948. In 1964,
7380-456: Was activated. The train was removed from the tunnel two hours later by a relief locomotive from the Featherston end after a haphazard response on both sides of the tunnel. There were no injuries, although some elderly passengers required medical treatment due to the distress of the event. After the incident, changes were made to the Train Control telephones so they would self-test and track occupancy rules were modified to allow trains to coast out of
7470-430: Was announced by the company that the value of the land and rail operations would be written down from NZ$ 7.8 billion to $ 1.3 billion, and KiwiRail would continue as the rail and ferry operator, while the New Zealand Railways Corporation would manage KiwiRail's land. The de-merger took effect on 31 December 2012. In 2010 KiwiRail released a 10-year turnaround plan and significant government investment in support of this in
7560-472: Was not surprised at the drop in patronage following a fare rise. In April 2013, KiwiRail said to keep the service operating, it would have increased ticket prices by 40 percent, and have at least 61 passengers on board in each direction. But it only increased fares by 10% from May. On 1 July 2015, KiwiRail confirmed, that funding had been approved by Horizons Regional Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council signing off their Long Term plans, including
7650-477: Was on Thursday 18 May on train 1602, departing Wellington at 8.25 am. In early 2007, the longest Wairarapa Connection consist (seven cars and van), which formed the weekdays 6.30 am from Masterton and 4.33 pm from Wellington had five cars replaced by ones from the now-disbanded charter fleet so that their Korean bogies can be overhauled and placed under five of the new SW cars. The charter cars run on old NZR Timken bogies limited to 80 km/h, not
7740-499: Was refitted with bogies that enabled it to run at passenger-train speed and was painted the same shade of bright red as the cars it accompanied. In the style of the new Fastrak and Northtrak express parcels logos that emphasised the new approach and priority of parcels traffic, the wagon had a logo known as Waitrak, as it was dedicated to Wairarapa services. In 1989, with the introduction of the Bay Express between Wellington and Napier,
7830-540: Was refurbished for the Wairarapa but retained original seating, albeit reupholstered. In 2003 the other car was rebuilt and refurbished for use as a "small window" air-conditioned car for the NIMT passenger trains. A third car was stripped to the underframe but retained its compartment-dividing walls for profile purposes, while the fourth was scrapped. From 1999 onward, due to age and related deterioration, gradual withdrawal from service of older carriages occurred, and cars from long-distance Tranz Scenic services were used on
7920-459: Was removed to increase seating capacity , while ALs seated 46. The other two A cars and the remaining AL were overhauled but retained their Scarrett seats, reupholstered with cloth material. The overhauls saw the introduction of the new InterCity Rail blue livery, with a 220-mm white stripe and 100-mm green band inside it running the length of each car, with "Cityrail" emblazoned on both ends of each car. In 1995, as an interim measure leading up to
8010-410: Was retired 30 July 2023 and replaced the next day by SR class on the Capital Connection. In 2019, the GWRC proposed replacing in 2025 the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection trains with 15 four-car dual-mode multiple units , to operate from overhead power from Wellington to Upper Hutt or an on-board power source north of Upper Hutt; to cost $ 415 million. In 2022 a business case for extending
8100-495: Was split off from the Railways Corporation (which continued to own the land beneath the rail network) in 1990, privatised in 1993 and then renamed in 1995 to Tranz Rail . In 2004 Tranz Rail's rail, ferry and trucking operations were acquired by Toll Holdings and renamed Toll NZ , with the central government buying back the rail network outside of Auckland for $ 1 (the Auckland metro rail network had already been purchased by
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