Drivers Eye View : Otane to Napier

Thanks to driver Cameron Persson for the ride long on Train 650.

[@rickydonutrm3165]

Sixty years agio, i used to sit alongside the railcar drivers doing that route. Things have changed so much in that time. Strange not seeing the old stations, no trace of them. Except Opapa. A very nostalgic trip for me.

[@richv7089]

Having lived as a small fellow in Hastings in the early 1960s, and visiting family friends in the 1960s & 1970s, this video brought back some memories. And yes, I travelled from Hastings to Porirua by train once in the 1970s.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video, Thanks Cameron. this is a wonderful collaboration!

[@NNiemann1]

Thanks for sharing this video, great to see your views!

[@TheAverageDrummer]

The bridge at 59:20 is gone now due to being washed out by cyclone Gabrielle Feb 2023. It's slowly being rebuilt.

[@BradGryphonn]

I lived in Rockhampton, Australia for 22+ years. There was a big deal made about the rail line that ran straight up the middle of one of the main streets of the city. I have found, through your videos, that this routing of rail lines and streets is quite common.

[@denisegore1884]

So relaxing to watch. A couple of times in the 80s, I caught the train to Napier for short holidays.

[@stefen456]

I really enjoyed the drivers view trip from Palmerston North to Napier. My dad worked for the Railways, in the 70's and 80's

[@fanelparaschiv5580]

Superb!!!

[@mattlambert9092]

Great videos, Geoff and Cameron. Have been looking forward to the PNGL being filmed and published at real speed! Not sure if it's on your radar, but would love to see the Napier-Wairoa line filmed if you ever have the chance?

[@RobloxVehicleCrashes]

You might have to wait a while. 😁

[@gerrynewnham9932]

Four great videos. Thank you. A few questions, if I may: Are there any trains beyond Napier to Gisborne? What is the level of service on this line per day/week? Is there any prospect of passenger trains returning to the line - either regular or tourist?

[@mattlambert9092]

There is a scheduled Monday to Friday service from Napier to Wairoa return for logs. Although from what I've seen, that service may not necessarily run each day. There haven't been any services to Gisborne since a storm caused a washout between Wairoa and Gisborne about ten years ago. Unfortunately, successive governments appear to be in no hurry to repair and restore that section of the line. As for Palmerston North to Napier, I believe there are at least two scheduled services each way per weekday? I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong! There are also a handful of shunt services between Napier and Hastings each day. There are calls for the restoration of passenger rail services, but like many aspiring regions, Hawkes Bay is unlikely to convince Kiwirail of the viability of such services anytime soon. Would love to see passenger services back here, though. The closest you'll see these days are excursions for the likes of Art Deco and the odd sporting event.

[@gerrynewnham9932]

@@mattlambert9092 Thank you very much. That's very informative.

[@xr6lad]

@@mattlambert9092 ironic. You have a PM that bangs on about climate change and does all she can to increase your costs by taxing methane from cows; yet the restoration of rail services, the most basic of things to help with net zero, to move people from cars seems to have totally escaped her.

[@debeeriz]

@@xr6lad look at some of our other passenger train videos and you will see why. nobody uses them, they are too slow and costly, and are sight seeing trains for tourists, but the inner city train travel has picked up.

[@debeeriz]

why do small rail bridges have dimaond shape rails in the middle

[@user-tw7hq4cp4m]

Would be good to see a map of where we are going in New Zealand.

[@laurencemacdonald5935]

So, I can assume this NZ?

[@infiniteink185]

it is . North Island.

[@MarkDonnelly-j9v]

Hi i like your video

[@meatavoreNana]

A different sight now ,after the cyclone.

[@oddballaklyama4395]

this part right here is so cool 44:10

[@ruqaiaalgbure284]

Goooood

[@ulazygit]

Before the cyclone hit …

[@aldoferretti4869]

A top arranged country with 28 active volcanoes and run by maori linked people

[@xr6lad]

A map would be good unless you just want people from NZ to watch? 0:01

[@roycurrie3771]

W y have to listen to trivial conversation

[@user-fp2zs7cp6l]

Not liking this to much talking and spoiling train sounds

[@roycurrie3771]

Crap

[@rikihanapaeatg8198]

Love it through to Napier of kiwi rail by Port from palmy north and like show video your on driver man work on a freight line big a rail for time back to pamly to Napier I like living here now