New Zealand Railways

New Zealand Railways
Rail transport in New Zealand is a network of 4,375.5 km.
The main function of rail transport in New Zealand is to carry freight.
Practically half of the railway lines is used only for freight transportation.

New Zealand Railways

New Zealand Railways
In 2008 two urban rail systems
were upgraded.

Passenger transportation
As of 2017, there are only four long-distance passenger routes.
They are all operated by The Great Journeys of New Zealand, a division of KiwiRail, and are tourism oriented.

Passenger transportation
The total tunnel length is 80 km.
Kaimai Cargo Tunnel - 9,025 m.
Rimutaka Passenger Tunnel - 8,930.25 m.

Bent rail tracks after a New Zealand earthquake
In September 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the south island of New Zealand.

Passenger transportation

The Marlborough Flyer
Convenience-wise you’re going to find it hard to beat the Marlborough Flyer for pure ease of transport.

TranzAlpine
The train burrows through 16 tunnels and crosses five viaducts with snow-covered mountains in the distance.

Taieri Gorge
Railway
For most of its length it twists and turns through a spectacularly deep gorge.

The Northern Explorer
This is probably the most modern and comfortable rail journey in New Zealand.