See the REAL New Zealand by Train (1985)

 

See the REAL New Zealand by Train

Silverfern and Northerner

Wellington-Gisborne Express and Southerner

Picton-Christchurch Express and Christchurch-Greymouth Express

General Information on travel with NZR

This undated publicity leaflet seems likely to have produced in 1985 reflecting the commercial approach of the NZ Railways Corporation and the then recent upgrade of the Picton-Christchurch rolling stock, but is before the significant restructuring of services that occurred in 1987.  It is notable in depicting the Silverfern as the flagship service for NZR. Notable it depicts drinks being served at ones seat, and the lunch service at Taihape Station Restaurant.  Cigarettes for sale in the smoking cabin, and confectionary for sale, along with free snacks and morning and evening papers (the logistics of getting evening papers partway through the trip may have been interesting).  It only operated Monday to Friday at the time, but as the service with the only truly modern rolling stock, it is unsurprising it came first.

The Northerner depicts the seated cars and a woman laying on a pillow in a sleeper.  However describing it as a hotel on wheels might have been an exaggeration! The sleepers with their own "washing and shaving facilities" with "tea and biscuits" for supper and a morning newspaper. The buffet car is depicted as the social centre open for light refreshments with liquor until 10.15pm. Notable the leaflet mentions there is "plenty of time for a meal before you go", so it wasn't expecting passengers to eat a main meal on board.

NZR focuses on scenery for the Wellington-Gisborne Express primarily because there is zero on-board service. Whereas for the Southerner, it "could be New Zealand's friendliest train" with stewardess service of drinks at the seat, or the buffet car for food, with an "excellent selection of snacks, ales and beverages".  The Picton-Christchurch and Christchurch-Greymouth Expresses are also more about the scenery and the locations along the trip. However, the Picton-Christchurch Express description says there are "new seats and carpeted floors for your travelling comfort".

Finally the leaflet notes Road Services and Searail completing the service roundup, and a page with general information.  Notable is:

• Checking in with baggage available at either a baggage counter or guard's van 15 minutes before departure
• Ability to book up to six months before travel (but in person only)
• Station restaurants or "coffee bars" open at Auckland, Taihape, Palmerston North, Napier, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Springfield, Otira and Dunedin. Notable that all of the ones outside the four main centres exist primarily to service the trains that stopped for refreshments, see that some larger destinations like Hamilton and Invercargill have no such facilities. Taihape, Palmerston North, Napier, Kaikoura, Springfield and Otira would all be closed within a few years.