Trains are endlessly fascinating,
and Graham Hutchins' new book, Great New Zealand Railway
Journeys (Exisle, hbk, $60) celebrates the few passenger
rail journeys still operating in this country.
They range from the small heritage trains, such as the
Kingston Flyer and the Weka Pass Railway, to the big tourist
trains like the TransAlpine Express and Tranz Coastal which
run from Christchurch to Greymouth and to Picton,
respectively.
There are special-occasion trains like the Art Deco Express
that runs from Paekakariki to Napier for the Art Deco Weekend
in February, and modern commuter trains such as the
Wellington Wairarapa and Capital Connection (Wellington to
Palmerston North), which point the direction of future
development in passenger rail transport.
The Taieri Gorge Railway features twice, once in its Taieri
Gorge guise, and again as The Seasider (Dunedin to
Palmerston), and even the Ocean Beach railway is mentioned.
Well illustrated, Great New Zealand Railway Journeys is a
tribute to what remains of our railway history, both the
lines and the stations, as well as an optimistic look at the
future of rail travel since the recent government buy-back of
the rail system.
Freebies
The Otago Daily Times has three copies of Great New
Zealand Railway Journeys to give away.
To enter the draw for one, write your name, address and
daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and send it
to Great New Zealand Railway Journeys, Editorial Features,
Response Bag 500013 Dunedin, or email playtime@odt.co.nz with
Great New Zealand Railway Journeys in the subject
line, to arrive before September 11.
