Train - Auckland to Wellington

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Aaroona

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Topic # 68528 23-Sep-2010 21:29

Well, my step dad has said he will shout me a trip to Blenheim, and he suggested I take the train to Wellington and then the fairy from there. Seeing as i used to absolutely LOVE trains when I was younger, and having only ever been on one once before, I decided it was a pretty good idea.

I just have a couple of questions: Firstly, what is the seating arrangement? I take it that it would be similar to that of a bus? just with a table or something?

Secondly, do the trains offer Wifi? Because I can assure you I will most likely get bored, and want to mess around on my laptop - I could even get some school work done! ;) (That will be the excuse I use for needing to use Internet).
Probably a fat chance that they do, but hey, won't know if I don't ask! (then I may have to top up my tstick)

EDIT: That's FERRY, not fairy :P d'oh.

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 383788 23-Sep-2010 21:30

how do you travel on a fairy?

Aaroona

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Reply # 383789 23-Sep-2010 21:32

nakedmolerat: how do you travel on a fairy?

you have to wish them there, using magical dust!

Ferry* d'oh! Im tired, leave me alone! :P

inarush

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Reply # 383795 23-Sep-2010 21:39

Personal preference would be to Fly.. Use the wifi in the airport for 30min be in wellington in a hour and then use the wifi at the other end..

Being on one of those trains can be a bit tiring its not like visiting the trains at Glenbrook

nickb800

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Reply # 383797 23-Sep-2010 21:51

I doubt there is wifi given the terrain they travel through it would be hard to get a signal to the train in many parts. Correct about seats, quite roomy compared to a bus. Power plugs a bit scarce iirc so try be first onboard and scout them out.

inarush has a point, flying would be easier and possibly cheaper as train + ferry would be $100ish and would require an overnight stay in wellington.

Regs

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Reply # 383804 23-Sep-2010 22:04

i took that train once. vowed "never again". i took the overnighter - it took a lot longer than the bus, was uncomfortable and noisy and generally unappealing. not like overseas trains. i would fly, even if i had to pay double.

also, the train is actually no cheaper than flying (and often flying is cheaper) if you get the cheap airfares from airnz or jetstar.

train sux

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geocom

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Reply # 383821 23-Sep-2010 22:43

I have done this trip this year

yes seats are pre assigned however we took the train at the end of the school holidays. And there is no wifi However some of the time you will be able to get cell signal however this can be flakey at times.

The auckland to Wellington trip are just seats with clip in trays like on the airlines but the south island train that we took had tables with power and both had viewing platforms

However the day that we went down it was overcast so the conditions where not the best but if you get a good day it should be a good trip

Geoff E

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Reply # 383830 23-Sep-2010 23:00

I've done it this year. No wifi and patchy cellphone coverage in the middle bit (both as above) but a good way to see the countryside.

If you are after cheap, http://www.nakedbus.com is the go. I am catching the bus down tomorrow and booking a couple of weeks ago only cost $30. Of course it is a day of my life I will never get back, probably a boring uncomfortable one, but I'm looking forward to it :-)

Linuxluver

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Reply # 383834 23-Sep-2010 23:31

Aaroona: Well, my step dad has said he will shout me a trip to Blenheim, and he suggested I take the train to Wellington and then the fairy from there. Seeing as i used to absolutely LOVE trains when I was younger, and having only ever been on one once before, I decided it was a pretty good idea.

I just have a couple of questions: Firstly, what is the seating arrangement? I take it that it would be similar to that of a bus? just with a table or something?

Secondly, do the trains offer Wifi? Because I can assure you I will most likely get bored, and want to mess around on my laptop - I could even get some school work done! ;) (That will be the excuse I use for needing to use Internet).
Probably a fat chance that they do, but hey, won't know if I don't ask! (then I may have to top up my tstick)

EDIT: That's FERRY, not fairy :P d'oh.

The train can be fun. The seats are usually very comfortable and you can get up and walk around any time. Food and drinks are available in the buffet car. it doesn't look like there is wireless on the train itself, but if you have a Vodem or an Android v2.2 phone (or other) that you can wifi tether your laptop to, then you should be able to get mobile data where ever you find some coverage.....probably in near towns and cities and close to major highways.

I think it is a daytime only service now. Roughly 12 hours. The night trains used to have beds, and I did that couple of times, but the beds were ACROSS the carriage and not aligned to the path of travel, so you were rolled every time the train stopped or started. Narrow and not comfortable at all. Compared to the Canadian sleepers I'd had the Kiwi version were rubbish. The Canadian ones were basically a King single with your feet to the front of the train. Less disturbance if it stopped or started in the night. Very comfortable. Stiff, crisp linen and a porter at the ready.

Rather than fix the poorly thought-out service, Richard Prebble's wreckers "Saved Rail" by killing it (for the trucking industry, who hate rail to this day. Transport Min Steven Joyce is the current lackey of the truckers)...and ditched the beds about 20 years ago. On the cabinless, bedless night train, sitting up all night with rowdy, puking "sport" drunks was even less appealing.....and the night service withered and died.

But trains are awesome and a much more relaxed and comfortable way to travel than buses or cars....and more "adventure" than flying. Jets are for getting where you're going. Trains are are for the glory of the ride. Until the jet fuel runs out....then trains will be essential transport again. In NZ, that means 20 years after they became urgently necessary.

Look here.

____________________________________________________
I'm on a high fibre diet.

nickd

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Reply # 383847 24-Sep-2010 00:10

Regs: i would fly, even if i had to pay double.

This.

graemeh

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Reply # 383923 24-Sep-2010 09:34

Linuxluver: But trains are awesome and a much more relaxed and comfortable way to travel than buses or cars....and more "adventure" than flying. Jets are for getting where you're going. Trains are are for the glory of the ride. Until the jet fuel runs out....then trains will be essential transport again. In NZ, that means 20 years after they became urgently necessary.

Look here.

It's not going to happen. Long before the oil runs out we will find another fuel source. Just like the steam engines, oil powered engines will be replaced with something better.

Don't write off oil too soon, all that hybrid tech is still rubbish. Mazda have engines due for release soon that are "fossil fuel powered" but more efficient than hybrid.