KiwiRail to bring back Southerner rail journey for limited run

KiwiRail has announced it's bringing back a popular passenger rail journey more than 20 years after it ended.

The Southerner connected Christchurch and Invercargill via Dunedin between 1970 and 2002.

Great Journeys New Zealand will run daily return trips from May 17 to 20 next year.

More on this topic

Campaign launched to get Southerner train back on the tracks

The Future is Rail has made submissions to South Island regional councils in a bid to get a feasibility study over the line for the Christchurch to Invercargill service.

New Zealand

May 22, 2024

2:19

"The Southerner was renowned for offering a comfortable and scenic journey, making Invercargill the southernmost passenger station in the world. Its legacy as one of New Zealand's most beloved train services endures, and now it is returning to offer a new generation the chance to experience part of this historic route once again," Great Journeys New Zealand and Commuter Rail general manager Tracey Goodall said.

If it proves popular, KiwiRail said it will look at more special services.