The Overlander – Auckland to Wellington

Although the word breathtaking is often overused, New Zealand truely has some senery which merits this description. And what better way to see it than from the comfort of New Zealand’s only private railway - Tranzscenic.

The Overlander

The Overlander is a journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland - New Zealand’s largest city and home of the Sky Tower, to Wellington - New Zealand’s arts and culture capital.

Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune, popular with young and old alike. You also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges – all from our panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views.

All carriages feature large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island.

The Overlander departs Auckland and Wellington daily. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer trip, tour New Zealand’s North Island by rail and see it all while you sit back and relax.

The TranzCoastal

The TranzCoastal train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other.

Along the way you pass though the village of Kaikoura, where, if you’re touring New Zealand, you can break your journey to take in the whale watching or dare to get closer and swim with the dolphins.

One of the world’s most scenic train journeys, the TranzCoastal travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge. As on The TranzAlpine, The TranzCoastal includes an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air.

If you plan to stay a little longer and explore New Zealand then Cheaper than hotels has a great range of places to stay at including Hotels in Auckland, Hotels in Wellington and Hotels in Christchurch

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An African train adventure!

Africa’s vast expanses and variety of scenery, coupled with the luxury of travel authentic original steam trains refurbished to the highest standards and resplendant luxury, will make a journey on Rovos Rail an unforgetable experience.
For many visitors to South Africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 48-hour weekly journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town.

This 1600-kilometre journey is a perfect illustration of South Africa as a world in one country. Travel the grasslands of the gold rich Highveld to the haunting barrenness of the Great Karoo.

Trundle through the spectacular mountain ranges and scenic wine lands of the Cape. Journey’s end is Cape Town, the Mother City of South Africa, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and Lions Head. Highlights of the north and southbound routes include a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein.

Step aboard the wood panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

About the trains

The five superbly reconditioned locomotives have a distinctive character and charm and they are all named after owners Rohan and Anthea Vos’s children. The oldest and smallest engine in the stable is 439 TIFFANY – one of 40 Class 6 Locomotives manufactured by Dubs & Co in 1893.

Rohan and Anthea Vos first saw this petite loco on the platform of Winburg Station in the Eastern Freestate and it was love at first sight. The loco was purchased in 1987 and Dunns Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the Class 6 to running condition. She is named after their youngest daughter. 2701 BRENDA, 2702 BIANCA and 3360 SHAUN are named after Rohan and Anthea’s other three children.

They are Class 19D Locomotives which were all built during the 1930’s. All three locomotives were saved from scrap metal dealers and, after extensive restoration by Dunns Locomotive and the Rovos staff, were put back into service in 1989. 3484 MARJORIE is named after Rohan’s mother. Built in 1954 by the North British in Glasgow, she is a Class 25NC Locomotive that has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine.

She can cover a distance of 700 kms without needing to stop for oil or water whereas the steam locomotives have to stop after 100 kms for water and 300 kms for coal. The arrival of an articulated GMAM Garret locomotive which is currently being overhauled, will bring the operating fleet to six.

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A ten day coast to coast train excursion taking in some of the most beautiful and scenic places in the world. This trip combines a variety of sleeper accommodation and hotels along the route.
A fantastic experience for train enthusiasts and others wanting something a little from the usual tour packages.

Discover Canada’s varied geography and fantastic scenery from the bustling commercial centre of the country, Toronto, Ontario to the west coast’s beautiful port city, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Enjoy the journey on board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian travelling through Ontario’s rugged north and across the peaceful prairies into Alberta, with a stopover in the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Explore the charming towns of Jasper and Banff and visit stunning Lake Louise, and then continue across BC’s varied landscapes to Vancouver, BC nestled between soaring mountains and sparkling ocean.

See why people from around the world choose to see Canada by train!

The heritage of Canada’s great railway hotels lives on:

* In 1929 the Royal York Hotel (Toronto) was the largest in the British Empire, a neo-classical style.
* The third and current Hotel Vancouver, built in the Chateau style in 1939, was first constructed in 1887.
* Billed as the Grand Canadian Lodge Experience, the Jasper Park Lodge, originated in 1915 as Tent City
* The Banff Springs Hotel, opened in 1888, a Swiss- style chalet, influenced by the French chateau.
* Chateau Lake Louise, (1890) originally a one-story log cabin, was rebuilt in a Swiss-style chalet in 1893, and circa 1900, architect Rattenbury, redesigned the hotel.

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Most weekends one of several different companies operate a day tour from one of London’s main train stations (such as Paddington, Euston, Kings Cross, etc), featuring a vintage steam locomotive with a consist of older style first and second class carriages. The train typically leaves moderately early in the morning, and then travels over the public rail network to a destination where passengers will have two to four hours of leisure time before the train then takes them back to London for an evening return.

The steam locos are lovingly restored and many times are famous locos such as the ‘Flying Scotsman’. They are typically given permission to operate at speeds up to 75 mph, but slow compared to their maximum speed capability which many times exceeds 100 mph. Because the train travels over mainline rail track, the ride is typically very comfortable and smooth, and the loco engineer is able to fully open the throttle and make the steam loco roar with its unique and distinctive sound as it rushes up the gradients and along the straights.

You really do get a completely authentic experience just as it used to be for all rail passengers 50 years ago, unlike visiting a restored vintage railway that operates a train over perhaps 3-10 miles of track at very slow speeds.

First or Standard Class

Most of the excursion trains feature two or three classes - standard and first class and perhaps a ‘premium’ class as well. The trains, which might have as many as twelve or more carriages, usually include a buffet car, and of course each carriage has one or two toilets as well. The buffet car will generally have a range of snacks as well as tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Excursions operated by Past-Time Rail on several occasions are well managed and most enjoyable. Also an excursion operated by Steam Dreams, while marred by an unfortunate problem with the steam loco, their handling of a difficult situation was very professional and sensitive.

Pricing

Prices range from about £30-60 for standard class, £50-80 for first class and £100-200+ for premium class (£1 = about $1.46 at present). Orient Express excursions are considerably more pricey - £200-300 per person for a day trip.

A great opportunity to ride on locomotives such as Green Arrow and Sir Lamiel, as they wend their way through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside from York to Scarborough.

Departing York at 11am and from Scarborough at 5.15pm, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy this quaint seaside town that has been a tourist desitnation for hundreds of years.

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