Would it be that silly to electrify Greymouth-Stillwater-Christchurch? Coal from Ngakawau to Stillwater by diesel then electric all the way to Lyttleton. As the line from Ngakawau to Stillwater is reasonably level, but would be expensive to wire, that makes economic sense to me. The Hokitika freights and the TransAlpine would be hauled by up to 5,000 hp electric locomotives the same as the coal trains. This would mean, at most two locomotives on the run up from Otiria to Arthur’s Pass. A big saving in what is now very expensive diesel, and overall good for the environment.
It would be a great idea, I think all the line should be electrified, zero emissions for freight. But in this country the money required to get it done would be in the billions. Just look at the tiny section they electrified in Auckland - health and safety, bureaucracy and layers of management completely stifle any infrastructure development in NZ
@@samocooper9070 The doors only close for up hill trains. But to answer the question, unless an uphill train stalls and is over run with exhaust gases, the lead loco is always moving into clean air.
Does the gradient inside the tunnel change slightly at about 7 minutes into the video, this is when the light coming in the western portal is first seen. Or is the tunnel too long to see the light? Anthony
Any variation in grade is in inch/mile range and not generally perceptible. In the fight conditions you can see’portal to portal’ which gives you an idea just how straight this tunnel is. 👍
What sort of rubbish country has a train line through the middle of a town centre. With a busy road and doesn’t have boom gates and/or flashing lights? Even tourist railways in rural areas here in Australia have them.
Not sure you needed to include the rubbish country part, are you going for a reaction or just enjoy being nasty? As it is the line speed is 10kmph with clear signage either side, however I do think there needs to be bells and arms on that crossing.
It's beautiful through there needs a passenger train through there as well for visitors and locals alike between the coal trains and I reckon it would be full.
RIP to the souls that died there,Coal what a great resource,energy when burned ,used in many applications from make up to soap to iron ,there is finite carbon in this world ,no new carbon is being produced ,the giant carbon cycle from plants to us to petrol ,oil ,plastics and on lol
@@samocooper9070 I was okay with the music but in the beginning and somewhere part way through there is a lot of irritating noise which I thought was from the track but might have been wind noise. Was the camera outside the cab ? Thinking more the horn was very loud so maybe that might explain it. I have listened to a lot of train videos and never hear this noise before. I though it might have been noise from the wheels rolling on the tracks but decided it wasn't that.
Travelled through this tunnel on the Trans Alpine in 2016. Absolutely amazing engineering. Pity they did away with the electrics, though. They were just that bit different!
Lots of people don't like watching 20 minutes of darkness, but rest assured, I have the entire tunnel clip in a separate video specifically for gentlemen like yourself, check out my other videos 😁
It was Inangahua station, the main road is around 500m to the left of the track, and joins the rail while passing over the river, the settlement is accessed via a rail over bridge shortly after.
Not just brilliant train journeys, an amazing drone operator as well, thanks a lot for showing one of the most beautiful places on earth I have ever been to, with a whole new perspective.
Went on the railway bridge between Greymouth and Hokitika many times in the 1980s when cars had to use it, Thankfully they now have a new bridge for cars
After decades of travelling by road opposite the railway line, allowing me to travel with the driver's view fulfills my dreams. I am grateful and thankful to you for uploading this wonderful film..
