2 ESCAPE Monday, December 12, 2011 THE PRESS, Christchurch ❯❯ OUR OWN BACKYARD World-class Where are we? High-definition scenic screens show the progress of the Tranz Scenic Coastal Pacific journey. Photos: transport ROY SINCLAIR New Zealand-created carriages get high marks from rail buff ROY SINCLAIR. New deal: A train of new AK carriages rounds a bend near Dashwood Pass, Marlborough. ew rolling stock Engineering (formerly the carriages, they have 52 sqm of (carriages) for New Zealand Railways glass in generous panoramic South Island Hillside workshops), they are side and roof windows, scenic rail the first locally designed and enabling passengers the best journeys are as built passenger carriages opportunity to enjoy passing good as, or since 1941, apart from three views. Other obvious visual Nbetter than anything I have carriages built for the Otago differences include ceiling- experienced anywhere else. Excursion Train Trust in mounted high-definition They rival equipment used on 1987. (The Otago excursion screens displaying safety Switzerland’s premier scenic train carriages used existing messages as well as a map rail journeys, including the frames and bogie wheels). plotting the journey’s famed Zermatt to St Moritz The $39.9 million contract progress. Glacier Express. And, best of for 17 KiwiRail carriages was An impressive feature is all, the new rail vehicles, let to Hillside Engineering in the quieter, smoother, ride classified AK, are New 2009. When completed early provided by the newly- Zealand-designed and built. next year they will replace all developed P13 bogie wheel The first set of five carriages previously used on units having a combination of carriages went into service on the Coastal Pacific and primary synthetic elastomer the Tranz Scenic Coastal TranzAlpine rail journeys. axle springs supplemented by Pacific (Christchurch to Between them, the trains a secondary airbag Picton) on November 3. carry about 250,000 suspension. The latter is in Designed by KiwiRail’s passengers annually, a common use on heavy road Mechanical Design Group majority of them visitors to vehicles. The P13 units were Proud maker: Hillside Engineering manufacturer’s plate. and built in Dunedin by New Zealand. designed by Christchurch KiwiRail-owned Hillside Longer than the present engineering firm Motovated Aboard the AK each seating 63 passengers, a Design & Analysis and equipment’s Coastal Pacific licensed cafe carriage (AKC) a constructed by Hillside launch service, I spotted refurbished luggage van Engineering. several passengers using (AKL) and redesigned Motovated founder Greg their laptops, plugged into existing open-sided viewing Morehouse says the KiwiRail power sockets wired to the carriage (AKV) which, on the project was one of the most train’s power supply. day of brilliant weather, satisfying projects he has (Internet use relies on the proved to be the popular been involved in. He praises train being in cellular- location for camera-wielding KiwiRail for resisting coverage areas). The pre- passengers. international pressure and recorded commentary was The train, hauled by a keeping the AK carriage GPS-triggered as the journey locomotive resplendent in project in New Zealand. progressed. It is presented new KiwiRail livery, made for An alternative type of with a choice of five a very smart turnout. buckeye automatic coupling languages and will be listened Complemented by a well- prevents carriages from the to via headsets. stocked cafe car and friendly jerky bunching previously The intention is for train onboard staff, it promises to infamous for overturning managers to also present provide admirably for wine glasses or coffee cups. their personable live discerning global travellers as The coupler design, commentaries, an ideal way well as New Zealanders originating in the United of catering for non-English- seeking a different travel States, is in common use on speaking passengers while experience. European passenger trains. retaining the sometimes The TranzAlpine is likely Forged steel wheels for the legendary presentations. to be re-equipped with AK Simply the best: Interior view of a new Tranz Scenic AK carriage, offering world- AK carriages were imported The launch train carriages during the first class design and comfort. from Australia. comprised two AK carriages, quarter of 2012. The Press, Private Bag 4722 Editor: Ken Fraser Cover design: John Cowie Advertising: Pennie Little Christchurch, 8011, press.co.nz Email: [email protected] Press Graphics Email: [email protected].