Coastal Pacific Train resumes two years after Kaikoura Earthquake

[John M]

[avonside1563]

I've been following the work involved to reinstate both the coastal highway and the Main North Line from Christchurch to Picton following the Kaikoura earthquake with interest, and it has been an incredible project to get both opened again. It is very nice to see the Coastal Pacific service back and also the news that there will be a big investment in this to provide more stock to lengthen both the Coastal Pacific and the Trans Alpine service. Whilst the South Island doesn't have the same volume and intensity of rail traffic as the North Island, it has far more potential for the tourist services to grow and provide an essential extra income to towns along both routes. I believe there has even been some talk of reinstating the Southerner service south from Christchurch to Invercargill which would also give an excellent link into the Taieri Gorge operated out of Dunedin by Dunedin Railways.