Capital Connection

The Capital Connection is a long-distance commuter passenger service between Palmerston North and Wellington in New Zealand. It is operated by Tranz Scenic. Originally named the Cityrail Express, with "Cityrail EXPRESS Palmerston North - Wellington" emblazoned on carriage sides, it began on Monday, 15 April 1991.

Operator

From 1991 to 2001, the service was operated by CityRail, then by Tranz Metro. With the partial sale of Tranz Scenic and because Tranz Rail sought to separate its commercial passenger rail operations from its subsidised services, it was transferred to Tranz Scenic in 2001.

Rolling stock and motive power

The Capital Connection rolling stock, in use for an excursion with WAB 794

The service began using standard NZR 56-foot carriages: the first of two power-baggage vans from the Bay Express, a 50-seat Southerner car, a 42-seat Northerner car and a 37-seat Northerner catering car. When the Northerner and Southerner cars were returned to their respective trains and patronage continued to increase, a former Masterton commuter car was refurbished to the same standard, with the same 50 alcove-style seats as the Southerner car, but with sheepskin seat covers. Later, a former Endeavour car with luggage space at one end and a former Picton/Greymouth car, both from on the Masterton commuter run, were refurbished for the service. Later still, up to five more Masterton cars, a Northerner car, the second Northerner catering car and the sole InterCity spare buffet car saw service. Before these carriages were replaced, the service was regularly running with a van and eight cars.

Less than two years later plans were put in motion to refit the Masterton - Wellington Wairarapa Connection long-distance commuter trains to the same or similar standard to the reintroduced and revitalised Manawatu commuter train.

On Sunday 19 June 1994 a weekend service from Palmerston North to Wellington and return started, giving Manawatu residents the opportunity to spend the day or weekend in Wellington before the train returned to Palmerston North for its southbound Monday morning run. The power/baggage van, catering car and former Masterton car turned 50-seat (alcove-style with tables) day car made up the consist. Unfortunately, it attracted minimal usage and was terminated in 1994.

Monday 15 November 1999 saw eight British Rail Mark 2 (ex first, then standard class) cars, and the second former Southerner modular 11 kW power/baggage van, with 90 kW generator and larger luggage space made up from the middle and expanded non-handbrake end compartments, debut. The new cars are about three metres longer than the older cars and more spacious inside, with more headroom, full air-conditioning, 60 seats per car (except the servery car, which seats 31), and twin power sockets at the foot of each pair of seats. Seating arrangement is both alcove and airline-style, using their British Rail InterCity 72 seats. The train is usually hauled by two DC class locomotives.

See also

• Tranz Scenic
• Wellington Railway Station
• Tranz Metro

Long Distance Passenger Trains of New Zealand

Currently operational: North Island Capital Connection - Overlander Currently operational: South Island TranzAlpine - TranzCoastal Historic: North Island Bay Express - Blue Fern - Blue Streak - Daylight Limited - Endeavour - Geyserland Express - Kaimai Express - Napier Express - New Plymouth Express - New Plymouth Night Express - Night Limited - Northerner - Northland Express - Rotorua Express - Scenic Daylight - Silver Star - Silver Fern - Taneatua Express - Taranaki Flyer - Thames Express - Waikato Connection - Wairarapa Mail Historic: South Island Culverden Express - Kingston Flyer - Lynx Express - Picton Express - Southerner - South Island Limited