New Zealand Mark 2s

[gazthomas]

Th

Morning all.

Silly question. Someone is running a train next week:

Christchurch Dunedin 20 Jan 26
Dunedin Invercargill 21 Jan 26
Invercargill Dunedin 22 Jan 26
Dunedin Christchurch 23 Jan 26

Ponamu Tourism Group NZ t/a The Mainlander

Q. Anyone know anything about them? Seen a couple of local journalists reported it. Not going to book (ie pay) until I'm sure it's running...

Their website shows it is running, if in doubt give them a call?

Departing Christchurch | The Mainlander Train Journey

Departing the garden city of Christchurch, we cross the mighty braided Rakaia River through the agriculture centre of Ashburton where the regimented neatness of mixed cropping and sheep grazing holdings form patchwork quilt patterns across the vast expanse of the Canterbury Plains.

www.mainlander.co.nz

 

[185]

Their website shows it is running, if in doubt give them a call?

I know. As mentioned, before I make plans, spend money and leave myself stranded in a remote end of New Zealand I was wondering if anyone has heard of the company or people organising this?

Quite sure they're using an old rake of Mk2s previously used on the North Island around Welly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Re Christchurch - Dunedin - Invercargill..

...

Update - Wed 21 Jan

It did run. The >90% passenger loading proves there's a market for bringing rail back south of Christchurch on a regular basis. Kind of shows up the state operator who run their trains as an overpriced novelty wine-tasting experience for American cruise ship passengers... mile per mile, this was way cheaper.

10am from Dunedin heads south...

 

[Richard Scott]

Just covered the loco hauled turns around Wellington with mk2s. Thanks to all those who've given me information, managed 5 different locos, as whilst 4 sets of stock are out one runs top and tailed between Wellington and Masterton during the day (only front loco powers). Viewed that 17.30 ex Wellington runs with two locos (inside loco is shut down) and front one must run round at Masterton so that forms the top and tailed set next day. The one tucked inside is a fresh loco so assume the Wellington end loco of that day's top and tailed turn comes off at the end of the day.