In this video we visit Wellington, New Zealand, served by one of the most scenic commuter rail networks in the world. The system has been upgraded with new Electric trains, track upgrades and the overhead wires have been extended as far as Waikanae on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. During the peak periods the electric and diesel trains are busy transporting commuters to and from work, outside the peaks these regular modern trains are a great way for tourists to explore the Wairarapa, Johnsonville and Kapiti Coast lines. Maybe catch a train to Featherston to visit the Fell Locomotive Museum and learn about the legendary Rimutaka incline, or take an evening train along the scenic Kapiti coast to Paekakariki at sunset, the Johnsonville line, once part of the original North Island Main Trunk railway is a steeply graded, twisting line that climbs high into the Wellington suburbs offering great views over the city before plunging into a series of short tunnels to emerge onto a precarious ledge cut into the steep sided valley (try to imagine massive steam locomotives struggling with heavy trains over this tortuous route before it was bypassed by a tunnel in 1937).
We join the driver of our the diesel locomotive for a trip over the Wairarapa line to Masterton, skirting Wellington harbour on a beautiful sunny day, before making our way up the Hutt valley, climbing into the surrounding hills to enter the 5.5 mile (8.8 km) tunnel beneath the Rimutaka mountains, emerging to a splendid vista over Wairarapa lake, before descending to the plains far below, continuing through fertile farmland and attractive settlements to Masterton.
I used 3 different action cameras to make sure I captured this memorable return journey between Wellington and Masterton. Originally I intended to use the footage from which ever camera gave the best result, but as it turned out even though the cameras filmed the same trip, the perspective from each was quite different, leading me to decide on uploading two outward and two return trips.
Track gauge of 3 ft 6 in / 1,067 mm