Blue Streak's Taranaki History
It was December 1972, 9am the Blue Streak railcar pulled out of New Plymouth railway station on its maiden trip to Wellington, before its sister left Wellington at 9.50am. It stopped at Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Patea, Waverly, Aramoho (Whanganui), Marton and Fielding before a half hour lunch break in Palmerston North. Onto Levin, Otaki, Paraparaumu, Porirua then pulling into the bustling Wellington Station at 3.33pm. The hostesses having served on route, morning and afternoon tea, all for a cost of $9.50 - that was the service and the trip!
The advertising told us "You sit relaxed in superb comfort as you watch some of New Zealand's finest scenery pass by." They were not wrong! Having made that trip several times myself I can vouch for the wonderful experience it was. But it was not to last, less than five years later on a cold winter day the last twin unit, Blue Streak pulled into New Plymouth railway station at 4.30pm Saturday July 30th 1977. Not because of lack of demand but because the railcar needed an upgrade and the government of the time were not wiling to finance it.
Why bring back passenger rail?
Travelling on the Blue Streak was an efficient, reliable, and safe way to travel between New Plymouth and Wellington, connecting Taranaki to Manawatu. A scenic route, advertised at the time as a 'luxury railcar'. A hostess from the Blue Streak, Raewyn Dyett on its last run said, "People need a rail service - especially those with children, the elderly and invalids who can't travel by bus." (The Daily News 1/7/1977)
In the same newspaper article after talking to the passengers the reporter commented, "Without exception, everyone spoken to on the near-capacity 82-seat railcar said they were sorry to see it go. None were looking forward to doing the same trip by bus."
The reporter went on to say, "There is still hope amongst railway supporters that another passenger service will begin in the 'not too distant future'."
That distant future is here, 48 years later! Let's set the 50th anniversary of its departure, July 2027 as the new passenger rail link for New Plymouth to Wellington! (photo credit: John Bovis )
Investing in Our Future
A fabulous railway line runs the length of the province, yet sadly under utilised.
A new passenger service would run between New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington. It could come in around $95 for the full trip and possibly leave New Plymouth at 9am and arrive in Wellington at 4pm.
The aim is for modern trains to run on the line with comfortable seats, café facilities, disabled access, bike carrying areas, tables, wifi, charging points and toilets.
Reintroducing this service would boost regional economies, uplift tourism in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and under-served regions, and build a more connected and equitable transport network for all.
Do you want to support the return of passenger rail?
Trains Taranaki - affiliated to The Future is Rail a national advocacy group working to bring back passenger rail to Taranaki. Join our Facebook page
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