St. James Rail New Zealand Tour, February 2018

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The late afternoon arrival limited sightseeing on the first day, but the second day made up for it, with tram rides, ferry rides, Sky Tower view and dinner. Third day was the train to Taumarunui, skip the rail cart videos and a day with breakfast at Mt. Taranaki, and a loop around Taranaki area including New Plymouth.

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The highlight of the St. James Rail tour to New Zealand's North Island in February 2018 was undoubtedly the 4 days driving a modified golf cart along an unused rail line through 24 tunnels and over 98 bridges for a distance of 140 km. And took 30 years to build!

The journey is through a very scenic section of New Zealand, and an area of low population density.

And the best part - driving on a train line, seeing the driver's view!

Signs along the track showing its history

12m 12s

The highlight of the St. James Rail tour to New Zealand's North Island in February 2018 was undoubtedly the 4 days driving a modified golf cart along an unused rail line through 24 tunnels and over 98 bridges for a distance of 140 km. And took 30 years to build!

The journey is through a very scenic section of New Zealand, and an area of low population density.

And the best part - driving on a train line, seeing the driver's view!

Signs along the track showing its history

10m 47s

A relaxed day today on the bus for the 116km route from Taumarunui to Taupo on Lake Taupo, which is a volcanic cauldera. Also viewed Huka Falls on the Waitkato River.

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After breakfast at Taupo we set off on the bus to Napier, on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

After 6 hours at the Napier Art Deco Festival, we boarded the special train which was heading to Wellington. The plan was to meet Jo (our bus driver) at Paraparaumu train station, but delays in leaving Napier would have put Jo above her allowed hours. So we left the train at Levin and joined the bus there.

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The car parade is of vintage and veteran cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Drivers and passengers dress in period costume as the cars come rolling along Emerson Street, which is packed with spectators.

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There was much to see at Napier's Art Deco Festival in the 6 hours we had. This video is mostly walk around video of the cars before of after the parade. A hand held camera makes for some jumpy video, but it was the first time to try this mode. Some of the vehicles are seen moving around the streets of Napier.

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Finally arrive in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, via Kapiti Coast Electric Tramway (Wellington's retired trams) and Silver Stream Railway, which operates on a bypassed section of Kiwi Rail. Followed by a cable car ride to the top of Wellington Botanic Garden.

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Heading north east from Wellington to Featherston and the Fell Locomotive Museum, which though on the small side, is a very well executed museum, featuring a Fell locomotive and brake van, possibly the only surviving example, and extremely well explained how the Fell system worked.

Then onto the farewell lunch, as this is the end of the tour, except for those who selected the extra day to return to Auckland by train up the main north line.

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An early morning start on a wet morning in Wellington, where the remnants of a hurricane was due in the afternoon, we board the Northern Explorer train for a pleasant journey up the middle of the North Island to arrive in Auckland.

Next morning was time for walking around Auckland's CBD, with SUNSHINE! Followed by return to the hotel to board our bus to the airport.