New Zealand: Train – Wellington to Palmerston North

Train from Wellington to Palmerston North is $22 NZ each way….

2 trains per day – on at 6:20 am from Palmerston North to Wellington, and one at 17:17 from Wellington to Palmerton North!

What is it with New Zealand and trains? They seem to have the infrastructure, and then don’t use it?

Palmerton North is at the end of the Paraparaumu line and we are due to arrive there around 19:30.

Interestingly, carriages that are marked ‘first class’ but that no longer ‘first class’… train seat fell apart as I sat down.

This is actually been written on the train….

The train is very bumpy, and bangs around a lot, and alarmingly gets up to 100 km/h (60 mph).

On the plus side it does have electrical outlets to plug in computers, mobile phones etc., and there are toilets at the end of the carriage (hand for a 2 hour trip), and there is also a buffet car.

The views from the train are stunning, great views of the cliffs and sea, plus hills and mountains. However, this is obviously a commuter train as everyone is ignoring the views (unlike on the first train of the day).

My friend in Palmerston North has just emailed me about earth-quakes. This is not ‘happy making’ as we are currently on a section of track running along the top of a cliff…..

Otaki at 18:45 – just woken-up, the train that was almost full when we left Wellington, and is now almost empty, just three people left in my carriage. By the way, no danger of sleeping through a station as in most cases the train stops with a violent jolt!