Overlander (train)

The Overlander

The Overlander hauled by an EF class electric locomotive near Waiouru, central North Island.
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Discontinued, replaced by the Northern Explorer
Locale	North Island, New Zealand
First service	2 December 1991
Last service	24 June 2012
Current operator(s)	InterCity, Tranz Scenic, a division of Tranz Rail, later Toll NZ and KiwiRail.
Former operator(s)	InterCity Rail (1991–1995)
Ridership	67,000 p.a. (2008–2009)
Route
Start	Wellington
Stops	14 northbound 15 southbound
End	Auckland
Distance travelled	681 km (423 mi)
Average journey time	12 hours
Service frequency	Three weekly each way (May–November) Daily each way (December–April)
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard class only
Disabled access	Restricted due to age of rolling stock
Seating arrangements	Airline style, alcove, and lounger
Catering facilities	On-board café 30-minute lunch stop at National Park
Observation facilities	Large windows in all carriages Large rear window in rear carriage
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks Baggage carriage
Technical
	56-foot carriages DC Class diesel locomotives EF class electric locomotives.
Route map 681.00 Auckland 662.18 Middlemore 646.92 Papakura 628.76 Pukekohe 542.29 Hamilton 494.41 Otorohanga 475.66 Te Kuiti 397.75 Taumarunui 346.83 National Park 317.09 Ohakune 180.25 Marton 152.95 Feilding 136.23 Palmerston North 90.32 Levin 48.26 Paraparaumu 17.74 Porirua( southbound only ) 0.00 Wellington This diagram:

Route map
681.00 Auckland 662.18 Middlemore 646.92 Papakura 628.76 Pukekohe 542.29 Hamilton 494.41 Otorohanga 475.66 Te Kuiti 397.75 Taumarunui 346.83 National Park 317.09 Ohakune 180.25 Marton 152.95 Feilding 136.23 Palmerston North 90.32 Levin 48.26 Paraparaumu 17.74 Porirua( southbound only ) 0.00 Wellington This diagram:

The Overlander was a long-distance rail passenger train between Auckland and Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand, along the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT). It was operated by Tranz Scenic. The service was replaced from 25 June 2012 by the Northern Explorer.

The Overlander replaced a previous service operated by RM class Silver Fern railcars on Monday 2 December 1991. Following the withdrawal of the overnight Northerner, it was the only regular passenger train on the NIMT between Pukekohe and Palmerston North. After being threatened with cessation itself in 2006, it gained significantly in popularity, partly because of increased tourism promotion for the service.

It was called one of the best-value scenic rail trips in the world by the British Guardian. It is also acknowledged as one of the world's classic scenic rail journeys.

The first regular daylight Wellington-Auckland passenger train services, augmenting the older overnight services, were the steam-hauled Daylight Limited and diesel-hauled Scenic Daylight that ran primarily during summer months and Easter holiday period for many years from the 1920s onwards. The arrival of the Blue Streak and later Silver Fern railcars saw an end for a time to regular carriage trains, except when the Silver Fern railcars were replaced by carriage trains.

On 25 July 2006 it was announced that the service would be withdrawn at the end of September as it had made a loss for some time. The last trains were scheduled to run on Saturday 30 September 2006.

On 18 August 2006 the Green Party announced a Save the Overlander campaign, which received a positive response, primarily from the small towns along the train's route.