Tranz Rail (New Zealand)

[John Regan]

Greetings and a Happy New Year to you all.

I am a Locomotive Engineer for Tranz Rail in New Zealand, based in
Christchurch.

I would be keen to converse with other train crews that receive these
emails and any one else that is interested in how Tranz Rail operates and
the motive power/rollingstock we use (Tranz Rail owns three medium sized
interisland road/rail ferries and has another new one on order from Spain
at present as well).

I am the youngest driver in New Zealand as far as I know (I am 31).

Our driving area is from Christchurch to Blenheim Freight Centre on the
Main North Line (return distance of 653 km), Christchurch to Greymouth* in
the west (this is from one side of the South Island to other) on the
Midland Line (return distance of 487 km) and Christchurch to Oamaru on the
Main South Line (return distance of 477 km).
We always return to our home depot at the end of each shift. Our maximum
shift duration is 11 or 11.5 hours depending on the start time.

*= Tranz Alpine passenger train travels from Christchurch to Greymouth
daily and is touted as being one of the seven great train trips in the
world!

We operate a fleet of EMD and GE locos and have a large number of new
wagons that are being supplied by our own workshops in Dunedin and
Wellington.
Our track is 3'6" (1067mm). We operate our trains at 100 kmh for
passenger, 90 and 80 kmh for express/unit freight (depends on wagon type)
and 55 kmh for freight.
The "Silverfern" railcars in the North Island operate at 120 kmh.

Tranz Rail is owned by Wisconson Central Transport, and has a web site at
http://www.tranzrail.co.nz, which is worth a look if you are interested.
There is a map that will show you where these places that I mentioned
before are.
(Tranz Rail have recently purchased the Tasmaina branch of Australian
National Rail as well)

If you are interested in knowing more drop me a line and I will do my best
to help.

All the best for the upcoming year

Regards

John Regan