Thursday 24 March 2016
This is the NZ Trans Alpine train which we take from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass.
There is an open coach in the consist – so no glass to get in the way of the cold which soon permeates through if you spend too long in there! It is a grey day and as the hills rise it is hard going for the two locos.
Wikipedia says “The trip is considered one of the world’s great train journeys for the scenery and views.” I hope the photographs here give some idea of the scenery – I bet it looks much better on a bright sunny day. The rail line continues to Greymouth on the west of South Island but we are heading south from here and so join our coach for the continuing journey through South Island.