The TranzAlpine is New Zealand's most famous train, crossing the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast. Find out whether the train lives up to its venerable reputation.
In this video, I'll show you what the Scenic Class carriages are like, check out the food and drink options from the onboard cafe and enjoy the views from the open-air viewing car. Of course, the scenery is the main act including a spectacular river gorge, towering viaducts, high mountain plains, braided rivers and pristine mountain lakes, en route to the West Coast.
The TranzAlpine is widely considered one of the world's great train journeys, covering 230 kilometres and taking just under 5 hours.
Starting in Christchurch, the journey crosses the expansive Canterbury Plains on the South Island Main Trunk line (SIMT). At Rolleston, the TranzAlpine turns north onto the Midland Line. Following an ancient Maori trail through the mountains that was later plotted by engineer Arthur Dobson, it is the Midland Line's passage through the Southern Alps that astounds the senses. The railway line between Springfield and Arthur's Pass is considered a masterpiece of railway engineering.
The Otira Tunnel marks the transition from Canterbury to West Coast. The weather is typically wetter on the west side - and the scenery is noticeably more vibrant. The views of Lake Brunner and the heritage station at Moana are not to be missed.
TranzAlpine timetable and fares:
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🚉 Train: The TranzAlpine
🚉 Operator: Great Journeys of New Zealand (parent company: KiwiRail)
🚉 Locomotive: New Zealand DX class (DXC 5195 and DXC 5454)
🚉 Seat: Car B, Seat 6D (window)
🚉 Route: Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Greymouth (Midland Line)
🚉 Distance: 230km
🚉 Travel time: 4 hours 50 minutes (scheduled)
🚉 Class: Scenic Class
🚉 Travel date: 6 November 2022
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and overview
01:09 - Christchurch Railway Station and check in
02:33 - Boarding and seat review
04:19 - Departing Christchurch and train composition
05:14 - Route overview
06:13 - Cafe and breakfast
07:48 - Crew announcement and Waimakariri River gorge
09:32 - Patterson’s Creek Viaduct
11:02 - Staircase and Broken River viaducts
12:53 - Slovens Stream Viaduct and Mount Binser
13:48 - Open air viewing car and Lake Sarah
16:44 - Waimakariri River Rail Bridge
17:33 - Cora Lynn and mountain views
19:45 - Arthur’s Pass
21:13 - Otira Tunnel and toilet tour
23:28 - Otira
25:16 - Taramakau River and Lake Poerua
27:22 - Lake Brunner and Moana
30:30 - Lunch
32:13 - Stillwater and Brunner Mine historic area
34:00 - Fares and schedule
36:28 - Arriving in Greymouth
38:44 - Final thoughts and video preview
Music
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Credits and sources:
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Video attributions:
The Great Journeys of New Zealand
Photo attributions:
Assorted including thumbnail: The Great Journeys of New Zealand
Waimakariri River Bridge / Stair Case Viaduct
By Zureks
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Moana Railway Station photos
Photo by itravelNZ®
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By Tomiĉo via Wikimedia Commons
Wildman NZ
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Map of Waimakariri River
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By Grutness
The Waimakariri River with the Southern Alps in the background, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Photograph by Greg O'Beirne
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