Train trip to Pukerangi back in business

After a four-year absence, the Pukerangi train is back on track, with hopes it could help drive Dunedin’s tourist economy.

On Saturday, more than 180 people clambered on board for the train’s first trip since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The train ride to Pukerangi is a five-hour return journey from Dunedin and includes travelling through tunnels and crossing the Wingatui Viaduct, the tallest wrought-iron structure in Australasia.

Dunedin Railways general manager Rebekah Jenkins said Saturday’s reopening was a "pretty cool feeling".

"We have a very passionate team who have missed bringing passengers back to Pukerangi.

"It's pretty awesome to see the work that's gone into the track and even the maintenance of the assets."

Trips will run twice-weekly through summer, and Ms Jenkins was expecting a boost to the city’s economy as a result.

"I think we're servicing approximately 80 cruise ships this year, which is fantastic.

"A lot of our cruise ship customers are repeat customers, so for them, coming back to Pukerangi is huge and exciting."

Dunedin Railways, which is owned by the Dunedin City Council, was put into hibernation in 2020 when passenger numbers collapsed because of the pandemic.

The company then began operating shorter excursions, including The Inlander to Hindon.

Tourism has since rebounded, including visitors coming to Dunedin on cruise ships, and many cruise passengers also take a train ride.

Passenger Alice Cheung said it was "really exciting" to see it back.

"I love the train. I think it's such a novelty and such a cool tourist attraction and also for locals as well, to come out and see part of their local area that they might not have seen before.

"Hopefully it will be great for the economy and I think it's such a cool tourist attraction — it will bring more tourists into town."

Locomotive driver Andy Howie said in the four-year absence, the trip had "lost its brand".

"Some people just don't know we're running, so it's good that we're back up and running and hopefully we can market this place back to what it used to be like."

As part of the reopening of the service there was a performance by the City of Dunedin Pipe Band.

Ms Jenkins said the work put into reviving the service was "very emotional" for the staff.

"I have seen some tears in people's eyes.

"For them, it's massive. They've been a big part of Dunedin Railways for such a long time.

"To bring the train back to Pukerangi after four years, it's really emotional for most of the team."

matthew.littlewood@odt.co.nz