NZR class AK carriage
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
'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. The AK cars will run on a newly designed P11 bogie. Seating has been supplied by a Wellington-based manufacturer.
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
's Hillside Workshops
Hillside Engineering
Hillside Engineering Group is a trading division of the rail operator KiwiRail in Dunedin, New Zealand. Most of its work is related to KiwiRail, but it also does work for the marine industry in Dunedin.-History:...
for KiwiRail's long distance passenger operator, Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic is the long-distance passenger train brand of KiwiRail, formed from the New Zealand Railways Corporation InterCity Rail services. Tranz Scenic was renamed along with the other operating divisions of Tranz Rail in 1995...
. 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
TranzAlpine
The TranzAlpine Express is a passenger train operated by Tranz Scenic in the South Island of New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes . The journey is one-way, taking about four and a half hours...
and the Coastal Pacific.
Three of the new cars entered service on the Coastal Pacific on 2 November 2011.
The carriages will be used on the TranzAlpine
TranzAlpine
The TranzAlpine Express is a passenger train operated by Tranz Scenic in the South Island of New Zealand. This trip is often regarded to be one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes . The journey is one-way, taking about four and a half hours...
and the Coastal Pacific services, replacing the old panorama 56-foot carriages
NZR 56-foot carriage
The NZR 56-foot carriage is a class of 17.07m-long railway passenger car formerly used on almost all long-distance rail transport in New Zealand, and still in service. Some have been preserved.-1927: Prototypes:...
. The funding of the $NZ39.9 million for the 17 AK cars was announced by the fifth National government
Fifth National Government of New Zealand
The Fifth National Government of New Zealand is the current government of New Zealand. It is led by Prime Minister John Key.After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. The National party...
in March 2009.
The carriages feature a new white livery with the KiwiRail logo on the side.
Design
The cars were designed by KiwiRailKiwiRail
KiwiRail Holdings Limited is the rail operations subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, which trades as KiwiRail. Headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. Since July 2010 John Spencer has been the Chairman...
's Mechanical design staff in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. 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. The AK cars will run on a newly designed P11 bogie. Seating has been supplied by a Wellington-based manufacturer.