13 November 2007

For immediate release

Media advisory and photo opportunity

TranzAlpine celebrates 20 years

The TranzAlpine train service between Christchurch and Greymouth has come a long way since it first started back in 1987 when it was carrying around 25 thousand passengers annually.

Over the past year over 200,000 people have travelled on the service and next Thursday 22 November marks the TranzAlpines 20th anniversary.  The occasion will be marked by a special birthday celebration that gets underway at 7.30am at the Addington rail station in Christchurch.

Travelling daily between Christchurch and Greymouth return, the TranzAlpine has grown steadily since its introduction as “The TranzAlpine Express” in 1987, and recent services have carried more than 7000 people a week.

The TranzAlpine is renowned as one of the worlds greatest train journeys and TranzScenic National Passenger Manager Ross Hayward says, “It’s a credit to current and former staff that the service has grown from humble beginnings into the popular experience it is today”

Also credited with the success of the service is the support from those within the Christchurch and West Coast regions.  Ross Hayward says “We are always delighted to hear that locals regard the TranzAlpine as a must do activity not only for visitors but also for themselves and it just goes to show how iconic this train experience has become”

“We will continue to focus on improving the service, offering passengers the quality they deserve and look forward to at least another 20 years of sharing this country’s stunning scenery with international and national travellers”

The TranzAlpine will run to its standard schedule on Thursday 22 November and celebrations will include birthday cake and commemorative certificates for all passengers as well as local bands playing at Christchurch and Greymouth stations.

A special ceremony including speeches and cake cutting will be held on the platform of Christchurch Railway Station at 7.30am Thursday 22 November. 

The train then departs for Greymouth at 8.15am.

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