TranzAlpine celebrates 20 years
The TranzAlpine train service between Christchurch and Greymouth has
come a long way since it first started back in 1987 when it was
carrying around 25 thousand passengers annually.
Over the past year over 200,000 people have travelled on the service
and next Thursday 22 November marks the TranzAlpines 20th
anniversary. The occasion will be marked by a special birthday
celebration that gets underway at 7.30am at the Addington rail
station in Christchurch.
Travelling daily between Christchurch and Greymouth return, the
TranzAlpine has grown steadily since its introduction as "The
TranzAlpine Express" in 1987, and recent services have carried more
than 7000 people a week.
The TranzAlpine is renowned as one of the worlds greatest train
journeys and TranzScenic National Passenger Manager Ross Hayward
says, "It's a credit to current and former staff that the service has
grown from humble beginnings into the popular experience it is today"
Also credited with the success of the service is the support from
those within the Christchurch and West Coast regions. Ross Hayward
says "We are always delighted to hear that locals regard the
TranzAlpine as a must do activity not only for visitors but also for
themselves and it just goes to show how iconic this train experience
has become"
"We will continue to focus on improving the service, offering
passengers the quality they deserve and look forward to at least
another 20 years of sharing this country's stunning scenery with
international and national travellers"
The TranzAlpine will run to its standard schedule on Thursday 22
November and celebrations will include birthday cake and
commemorative certificates for all passengers as well as local bands
playing at Christchurch and Greymouth stations.
A special ceremony including speeches and cake cutting will be held
on the platform of Christchurch Railway Station at 7.30am Thursday 22
November.
The train then departs for Greymouth at 8.15am.
ends
The TranzAlpine train service between Christchurch and Greymouth has
come a long way since it first started back in 1987 when it was
carrying around 25 thousand passengers annually.
Over the past year over 200,000 people have travelled on the service
and next Thursday 22 November marks the TranzAlpines 20th
anniversary. The occasion will be marked by a special birthday
celebration that gets underway at 7.30am at the Addington rail
station in Christchurch.
Travelling daily between Christchurch and Greymouth return, the
TranzAlpine has grown steadily since its introduction as "The
TranzAlpine Express" in 1987, and recent services have carried more
than 7000 people a week.
The TranzAlpine is renowned as one of the worlds greatest train
journeys and TranzScenic National Passenger Manager Ross Hayward
says, "It's a credit to current and former staff that the service has
grown from humble beginnings into the popular experience it is today"
Also credited with the success of the service is the support from
those within the Christchurch and West Coast regions. Ross Hayward
says "We are always delighted to hear that locals regard the
TranzAlpine as a must do activity not only for visitors but also for
themselves and it just goes to show how iconic this train experience
has become"
"We will continue to focus on improving the service, offering
passengers the quality they deserve and look forward to at least
another 20 years of sharing this country's stunning scenery with
international and national travellers"
The TranzAlpine will run to its standard schedule on Thursday 22
November and celebrations will include birthday cake and
commemorative certificates for all passengers as well as local bands
playing at Christchurch and Greymouth stations.
A special ceremony including speeches and cake cutting will be held
on the platform of Christchurch Railway Station at 7.30am Thursday 22
November.
The train then departs for Greymouth at 8.15am.
ends
Moderator worldwide railfan , Rail travel & trip reports
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
The only train trips I regret are the ones I didn't take.
