Sunday, 18 June 2023

Tramcar in Christchurch, New Zealand

 


One of Christchurch's tramcars traveling the city loop route passing by the arts center.   

The Christchurch Trams offer a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. The journey begins at Cathedral Junction and travels through Cathedral Square before passing the Avon River, Cashel Street and High Street. From here the Tram travels back through Cathedral Square and along Worcester Street, Rolleston Avenue, Armagh Street and New Regent Street before arriving back at Cathedral Junction. There are 18 stops en route and the full circuit takes approximately 50 minutes to complete.

The Christchurch tramway system was an extensive network in Christchurch, New Zealand, with steam and horse trams from 1882. Electric trams ran from 1905 to 1954, when the last line from Cashmere to Papanui was replaced by buses.

In 1995, a 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) central city loop heritage tram was reopened in the central city as a tourist attraction. This has now been is extended with a 1.4-kilometre (0.87 mi) loop down to High Street which was opened in February 2015.

I had the pleasure of riding on these trams when I was on holiday in this beautiful and historic city in May.

This postcard was posted by my self from Christchurch. 


 

 

The Traz Alpine, New Zealand

 

 
 
The Tranz Alpine is another epic train journey in New Zealand operating in the South Island. It travels from coast to coast between Christchurch and Greymouth. This train travels across the flat Canterbury Planes following the Waimakarri River and the great gorges which have been toren through Mountains, through the towering Southern Alpines to the rain forests of the West Coast. 

I traveled on the Tranz Alpine on 19th May 2023 (Christchurch - Greymouth - Christchurch). The train leaves Christchurch at 8.15 am and reach Greymouth at 1.05 pm with several stops en route. The return train leaves Gerymouth at 2.05pm and arrives back in Christchurch at 7.00 pm. One of the highlights of the journey is the stop at Arthurs Pass, the highest point of the Southern Alps (740 meters/2430 ft) above sea level. Here during the 15 minute stop passengers are allowed get off the train to enjoy the fresh air and absorb the breathtaking  beauty of the Southern Alps. The second locomotive which pulls the train during the climb (Christchurch - Arthurs Pass and Greymouth - Arthurs Pass) is uncoupled here.
 
I posted this card in Greymouth during the brake between the arrival and the departure of the train.
 

 Tranz Alipne at Arthurs Pass during the stop on 19th May 2023

Arthurs Pass Railway Station



 Greymouth Railway Station


 Christchurch Railway Station 

Tranz Alpine before departure from Christchurch.
 

The Tranz Coastal, New Zealand

 


 
 
 
The Tranz Coastal is one of the three epic train journeys  between Picton and Christchurch   in the South Island of New Zealand. In this picture the train passes through a typical North Canterbury scene as the train crosses a shingle bed river on the way from Christchurch to Kiakoura and then to Picton. It is a pleasant and scenic way to travel between the two cities in the South Island. At Picton passengers board the ferry to the North Island (Wellington)

I purchased the is cover in Christchurch while on holiday  and posted it in Christchurch. I arrived here from Wellington in the North island  via Picton. I took the ferry from Wellington to Picton and a Inter City Bus on 16th May 2023 to reach Christchurch. Unfortunately the Tranz Coastal was not operating as it was the winter in New Zealand during this time of the year.


Monday, 16 May 2022

Canadian National

 



Canada's largest railway, CN serves eight Canadian provinces with extensive trackage in central United States along the Mississippi River valley to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Canadian National Railway

 

 
 
Canada's largest railway, CN serves eight Canadian provinces with extensive trackage  in central U.S. A along the Mississippi River valley to the Gulf of Mexico

 

Wednesday, 13 April 2022

The Soo-Dominion, Canada.

 

The Soo Dominion was a famous train with modern solarium lounge cars that connected Chicago, St Paul and Minneapolis through the Canadian Rockies in the 1930's.