Tranz Scenic
| Brand | |
| Industry | Rail transport in New Zealand |
| Founded | 1987 (as InterCity Rail) |
| Headquarters | Wellington, New Zealand |
|
Area served
|
New Zealand |
| Services | Long-distance passenger trains |
| Parent | KiwiRail (2011 - present) |
| Website | http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/ |
KiwiRail Scenic Journeys is the long-distance passenger train brand of KiwiRail, previously Tranz Scenic (1995—2011) and InterCity Rail (1987—1995).
The first branding of long-distance trains was as InterCity Rail, in 1987, renamed Tranz Scenic in 1995.
As part of a restructuring programme, in November 2001 Tranz Scenic was incorporated as stand-alone subsidiary Tranz Scenic (2001) Ltd. Tranz Rail sold 50% of Tranz Scenic to two directors of the Victoria, Australia, rail operator West Coast Railway for $33 million. The sale included long-distance passenger rolling stock and ten diesel locomotives of the DC class (reclassified DCP), and two EF class electric locomotives. Tranz Rail was taken over by Australian transport firm Toll Holdings in 2003, and in July 2004 the 50% share of Tranz Scenic was purchased by Toll, as one of the West Coast Railway directors had died and the business was not performing adequately.
In July 2012 it was revealed that KiwiRail was considering selling the remaining services.
KiwiRail Scenic operates four scheduled trains:
KiwiRail has trialled excursions with its refurbished Silver Fern railcar to destinations including Napier and Gisborne as part of its Explore By Rail trips. Other Silver Fern tours have included a Queen's Birthday day tour to Napier, tours to the Tui brewery via the Manawatu Gorge, an Easter Weekend trip to Gisborne, Valentine's Weekend and ANZAC Weekend tours to the central North Island. These excursions have been discontinued.
The Tranz Scenic brand and blue livery has been replaced by white KiwiRail livery with the introduction of AK carriages on the Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine and Northern Explorer.
In 2004 Tranz Scenic withdrew the Northerner overnight Auckland – Wellington service, citing poor patronage. This was the last overnight service in New Zealand. Tranz Scenic also reduced the number of stations served by the Overlander service on the North Island Main Trunk.
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Wikipedia