Train 1 - The Transalpine from Greymouth to Christchurch

After leaving Frans josef at 9.00 in the morning we got to the train station in Greymouth 20 minutes before our train was due to leave at 13.45. Amid a hussle of tourists trying to check in luggage and buy souvenirs we calmly waited for the train to pull up.

The first thing we noticed once the train arrived was that it was a simple diesel locamotive pulling 8-10 carriages which were attractive enough but hardly world class, the seats however were comfortable and we were granted ample legroom and the windows are designed to give near-panoramic viewing. With everything in place the only thing we were worried about was the atrocious weather outside our windows restricting visibility to about 3 metres (weather our bus driver had earlier informed us was "the worst he'd seen in three years").

Was our train journey of a lifetime going to be ruined by the weather? The answer was no. The first half of the journey was spent winding through hills and making our way up to arthurs pass which is the centre-point of the southern alpes.

At this point the weather was hardly any better but during our brief stop at this point there was literally light at the end of the valley. We'd been told that the weather on one side of the valley was always differant to the other so we would be very unlucky to get rain for the entire journey. Well at Arthurs pass we took photo's, one behind us which was grey and grim and foreboding and one in front of us which was clear blue and inviting. Needless to say the second half of our trip (The more visually spectacular half) was spent on the viewing platform taking in some incredible sights. Once again I armed Priya with the camera and she managed to take some excellent photo's from the train among the 7 billions or so she took this time.

Overall, a fantastic journey but a long day, and we more-than deserved the two quiet pints of guiness in Christchurch and jumbo potato wedges! One journey dow, one to go but would it be better?

Train 1 - The Transalpine from Greymouth to Christchurch

Greymouth, New Zealand