- NZR AK class carriage
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NZR AK class In service 2 November 2011 Manufacturer Hillside Engineering Constructed 2010–2012 Number under construction 14 Number in service 3 Operator Tranz Scenic Line(s) served Main North Line,
Midland LineSpecifications Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) The NZR AK class of 17 carriages is currently being built in Dunedin's Hillside Workshops for KiwiRail's long distance passenger operator, Tranz Scenic. The three buffet cars will be classified AKC. Part of the project also includes converting three existing AG carriages to open-air viewing carriages similar to those already used on the TranzAlpine and the Coastal Pacific.
Three of the new cars entered service on the Coastal Pacific on 2 November 2011.[1]
The carriages will be used on the TranzAlpine and the Coastal Pacific services, replacing the old panorama 56-foot carriages. The funding of the $NZ39.9 million for the 17 AK cars was announced by the fifth National government in March 2009.
The carriages feature a new white livery with the KiwiRail logo on the side.[2]
Contents
Design
The cars were designed by KiwiRail's Mechanical design staff in Wellington. The new carriages will feature GPS triggered announcements, with displays and commentary at each seat in a choice of five languages: Mandarin, Japanese, German, French and English.[3] The AK cars will run on a newly designed P13 bogie.[4] Seating has been supplied by a Wellington-based manufacturer.[5]
References
Citations
- ^ Palmer, Kloe (3 November 2011). "New carriages debut on South-Island's rails". Christchurch: 3 News. http://www.3news.co.nz/New-carriages-debut-on-South-Islands-rails/tabid/420/articleID/231623/Default.aspx. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "AK1 External". Flickr user 'Wekapass' – accessed 27 March 2011. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranzscenicpics/5560787724/in/photostream/.
- ^ "Hillside Engineering unveils work in progress". Otago Daily Times. 18 May 2010. http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/106481/hillside-engineering-unveils-work-progress.
- ^ "KiwiRail chooses motovated for new bogie". Scoop News – accessed 29 March 2011. http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/29/kiwirail-chooses-motovated-for-new-bogie//.
- ^ RUTHERFORD, HAMISH (25 July 2011). "Rail contract boom for Lower Hutt firm". The Dominion Post (Fairfax New Zealand). http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5334152/Rail-contract-boom-for-Lower-Hutt-firm. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
External links
- KiwiRail Express 19 May 2010
- Hillside's $40m contract 15 May 2010 Otago Daily Times
- Hillside Engineering Website
- KiwiRail Group Website
- Tranz Scenic Website
Categories:- Railway coaches of New Zealand
- New Zealand rail transport stubs
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