Tranz Alpine

One of the "must do" train rides in New Zealand is the famous Tranz Alpine running across the south island between Christchurch and Greymouth. Mind you, the weather can change after you depart sunny Christchurch and climb to Arthur's Pass. Plus, Greymouth on the west coast has the rainfall record, and it did indeed bucket down on the day I took the ride to Greymouth. There are observation cars where you can stand outside on the verandah and admire the alpine scenery. But, train staff usher you back inside for the Otira tunnel. This steep long tunnel requires rear train bankers to shove the train uphill to Arthur's Pass. It takes about nine minutes to ride through the tunnel so exhaust fumes would not be fun out on the observation decks. The train stops at Arthur's pass to allow the rear train bankers to detach. This allowed me to scramble up front to shoot at the train. Clad in a borrowed Kiwi driver mate's sweater (he said to me that I would freeze down there), the Tranz Alpine driver yelled to me spying the company logo. Naturally being driver only operation, the driver was eager to have some company upfront. So, I got to ride the cab the remainder of the journey back to Christchurch.

Aussie Alco.