@@PlanetPatrick The demand is there across most of the year, the problem is the lack of carriages. KiwiRail put out a RFT (Request For Tender) a few years, not one carriage builder showed interest because iirc KR only wanted a small order, they only required 12 carriages from memory.
The Northern Explorer train services between Auckland and Wellington now has the new dedicated Scenic Plus carriage with the fancy table settings. I will be travelling Scenic Plus from Auckland to Wellington in December 2024. By the way, The Strand station also has a cafe called the Strand Cafe where both Northern Explorer and Te Huia passenger can wait for either train. The Te Huia train operates between Auckland and Hamilton departs from the Strand station. A tourist can travel on travel Te Huia between Auckland and Hamilton and the Northern Explorer between Hamilton (for Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves) and Wellington.
The train seems to have been hauled by the same diesel locomotive throughout. The Auckland to Wellington North Island Trunk Main Line starts (from the north end) with 25kV electrification for suburban trains, then there is a gap with no overhead wires, then a long central section which is all electrified at 25kV, then another unelectrified section, finally there are 1500v DC overhead wires into Wellington for the city's suburban trains. This is inefficient - the whole line should be 25kV electrified - and it also means the journey is slower than it should be. In some clips of this film you can see the catenary supports flicking by, in other clips there are none. Did the diesel locomotive haul the train the whole way? Or was an electric locomotive used to take the train over the long electrified middle section? The film from inside the train shows how attractive NZ North Island is - many thanks. Not so attractive is the bizarre station used by the Northern Explorer in (or somewhere in) Auckland. Why doesn't it start from the main city station where the suburban trains all serve?
I believe it was diesel the whole way for this one (there was a secondary locomotive on one of the other trains, which are coming up soon in a new video). As a visitor, the Strand station wasn’t problematic but I can see how it would be easier if it were closer to the city centre.
The strand station is near where the Auckland central railway station, built in the 1930's, is located, across the tracks. Back then it was well served by buses and further back, Auckland, like most places had a tram network. Why not leave from Britomart, perhaps as it is set up for electric commuter trains and is enclosed. It was however, the site of the original railway station, so it does have that history.
![Coastal Pacific - crossing New Zealand by train [Part 3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/y_lmlWx8DuU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Coastal Pacific - crossing New Zealand by train [Part 3]](/img/tr.png)
I love watching train videos because you can see so much beautiful landscape. New Zealand is really amazing, thank you for sharing.
I feel just the same. I’ve filmed all 3 New Zealand routes so there’s more to come!
Thank you. I'm very curious about train travel in NZ so I look forward to your other videos.
The next couple of videos track the entire long haul train route through New Zealand!
It's an enjoyable journey.
The train should run daily in both directions!!
I agree, but can only imagine they don’t have the demand? Beautiful route.
@@PlanetPatrick The demand is there across most of the year, the problem is the lack of carriages. KiwiRail put out a RFT (Request For Tender) a few years, not one carriage builder showed interest because iirc KR only wanted a small order, they only required 12 carriages from memory.
The Northern Explorer train services between Auckland and Wellington now has the new dedicated Scenic Plus carriage with the fancy table settings. I will be travelling Scenic Plus from Auckland to Wellington in December 2024.
By the way, The Strand station also has a cafe called the Strand Cafe where both Northern Explorer and Te Huia passenger can wait for either train. The Te Huia train operates between Auckland and Hamilton departs from the Strand station. A tourist can travel on travel Te Huia between Auckland and Hamilton and the Northern Explorer between Hamilton (for Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves) and Wellington.
Oh I did not see the Strand Cafe - good tip!
@@PlanetPatrick - It is located in the red brick building at the end of the platform. I am surprised the check in staff didn't tell about it🙂
The train seems to have been hauled by the same diesel locomotive throughout. The Auckland to Wellington North Island Trunk Main Line starts (from the north end) with 25kV electrification for suburban trains, then there is a gap with no overhead wires, then a long central section which is all electrified at 25kV, then another unelectrified section, finally there are 1500v DC overhead wires into Wellington for the city's suburban trains. This is inefficient - the whole line should be 25kV electrified - and it also means the journey is slower than it should be. In some clips of this film you can see the catenary supports flicking by, in other clips there are none. Did the diesel locomotive haul the train the whole way? Or was an electric locomotive used to take the train over the long electrified middle section?
The film from inside the train shows how attractive NZ North Island is - many thanks. Not so attractive is the bizarre station used by the Northern Explorer in (or somewhere in) Auckland. Why doesn't it start from the main city station where the suburban trains all serve?
I believe it was diesel the whole way for this one (there was a secondary locomotive on one of the other trains, which are coming up soon in a new video).
As a visitor, the Strand station wasn’t problematic but I can see how it would be easier if it were closer to the city centre.
The strand station is near where the Auckland central railway station, built in the 1930's, is located, across the tracks. Back then it was well served by buses and further back, Auckland, like most places had a tram network. Why not leave from Britomart, perhaps as it is set up for electric commuter trains and is enclosed. It was however, the site of the original railway station, so it does have that history.