Travel by rail is the way forward in the future as we struggle to reduce carbon emissions. In the UK, where I live, we still have an extensive rail network, which is now used more now than ever, indeed it is often quicker than travelling be car. I am planning to visit my brother who now lives in Taihape, and hope that I will be able to travel to Taihape from Auckland by train.
I am glad Taihape might hope to get its train service back and the Overlander is a living icon. It is a huge pity that the Northland towns and the Canterbury to Ivercargill and Bluff down South is no longer served by passenger rail, and Queenstown and Hamilton need their services back. I would also like to ride the Overlander at night, and a sleeper service surely would be a great way to travel. I love trains but compared to greener European countries, and Japan, New Zealand needs a big rail revival. Even Ireland has a more extensive and frequent network. John Key has the potential key to a great comunnity project if he can get all the trains running, and do not just mean Thomas the Tank Engline or the Kingston flyer!GROMIT 2