Catch a Train, Catch InterCity

 

Catch a Train. Catch InterCity

Northerner, Gisborne Express, Ferry and Picton-Christchurch Express

This undated Intercity leaflet is actually quite easy to date based upon the trains depicted.  The Tranz Alpine Express was started in November 1987, but the Coastal Pacific replaced the Picton-Christchurch Express in September 1988. Furthermore the "Gisborne Express" was curtailed to Napier after Cyclone Bola knocked out the line in March 1988, so this leaflet would have to have been published over the 1987/1988 summer period.  It essentially represents the first stage of the revival of long distance passenger trains in the late 1980s/early 1990s as it reflects the service changes of 1987. Notable are (with the services depicted in broadly a north to south order). Each service has a "Catch A.."  slogan:

• The Silverfern as the "premier" service, operating only Monday-Friday, but now with lunch served at seat (with no Taihape meal stop).
• The Northerner as for the "budget conscious" (Catch a Bargain) having lost sleeping cars as an economy measure, and no mention of on-board catering (which for a while was the guard selling non-alcoholic drinks and takeaway snacks like nuts, potato chips and sweets from the guards van)
• Gisborne Express continuing with two refreshment breaks (Catch a Hearthland)
• Cook Strait Ferries (with little mention of service) (Catch a Strait)
• Picton-Christchurch Express focusing on scenery (Catch a Coast)
• Tranz Alpine Express highlighting refurbished carriages, a buffet car with panoramic windows and the scenery (Catch a Pass); and
• The Southerner, noting a selection of snacks, ales and beverages available from the buffet car, although by this time the rolling stock was more "mixed" and no longer consisted of the spacious 2-1 recliner seats, but rather a mix of the more basic refurbished cars previously used on the Christchurch-Greymouth express (Catch the South).