Christchurch - Day 2

[david63]

This was the day of another of our "bucket list" items - the TanzAlpine train.

The train leaves Christchurch at 08:15 and you are told to be there at least 20 minutes before that time so, obviously, it meant an early start - we had a taxi booked to take us to the station for 07:30 (and he was early). Anyway once we arrived at the station and got our boarding passes (tickets were already paid for) we got on the train for the four and threequarter hours journey across the South Island to Greymouth. I must say that Mr Branson could learn a lot from Kiwi Rail - clean, comfortable, on time trains that actually have a luggage van so that there is somewhere to put your luggage (it has always baffled me why on British trains there is nowhere for luggage!)

The journey goes through some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand and being on the train means that you can actually appreciate it as it is not that easy to do when driving. The trains are designed for the purpose with large panoramic windows and skylights as well as having a couple of observation carriages.

Once we arrived at Greymouth we had just under an hour before getting back on the train for the return journey - which was just as long as the outward journey!

We arrived back in Christchurch at 18:45 after a long, tiring day but one that we would not have missed for anything.




Source: http://pear-tree.org.uk/blog/index.php? ... Day-2.html

[Kenmo1]

David, it was very sensible of you to let the train take the strain but I'm beginning to think that, after all this travelling around, you and your wife will need a nice little cruise to help you recover.

Maureen

[Quizzical Bob]

David, does the train now go through the tunnel? There was a time when passengers had to be bussed round whilst the train went through because of safety fears.

[david63]

David, does the train now go through the tunnel? There was a time when passengers had to be bussed round whilst the train went through because of safety fears.

If you mean the "big" one then yes - well it did on our trip

[Quizzical Bob]

David, does the train now go through the tunnel? There was a time when passengers had to be bussed round whilst the train went through because of safety fears.

If you mean the "big" one then yes - well it did on our trip

Thanks, that's good to hear. There were safety concerns a year or two ago.