The Intrepid Travellers: All aboard for Greymouth

It's time to depart Christchurch (again) and catch the Tranzalpine scenic train to Greymouth,on the West coast of South Island. After four weeks of driving everywhere it is time for me to put my feet up and let the train take the strain for the next two weeks. We have a 14 day rail pass to take in some near inaccessible places on both South &North Islands. Day one takes us from the East Coast across the Canterbury plains & up & through the Alpine Mountain range, down to the West coast town of Greymouth. It was an early start this morning as we were picked up from our motel by the shuttle bus at 7-20. The train departed Christchurch right on time at 8-15.

The journey would take four and a half hours, with three 5 minute stops along the way. We were able to get off the train for picture opportunities. Head sets were provided & a full commentary of the journey was available. There was a carriage at the front of the train especially designed for unhindered photography, it being open to the elements. Every seat on the train had panoramic views through large windows. One of our stops was the very aptly named...........

Arthur's Pass was the highest point of our journey, as we left the station the, train entered a tunnel which was over 7 kilometres long with a 33% gradient through to the Western side of the Alps. When it was constructed back in Victoria's day it was the longest tunnel in the Empire. When the break through point was reached by the tunnel gangs from both ends they were misaligned by just over 1 foot. The length of the tunnel is like going from Horwich to Bolton & descending all the way.

A picture from our seat of the journey across the Canterbury Plains, then progressing up the mountains to Arthur's Pass.

Some pictures taken in the viewing carriage. We arrived in Greymouth on time at 12-45 and were picked up at the station by our host for the next two nights and taken to the motel, just a minute's drive away.