Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc.
Media resources on the Bay Express issue
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The Bay Express (with an extra loco in tow) on the Ormondville Viaduct, from the Dominion 4 August 2001
Please note that almost all of the (former) online links below have now failed. However, as the hardcopies are still available on microfilm at libraries, researchers may still value this page. Some articles had for various reasons been transferred to this website, so their links are still shown below. Others are from assorted media releases from various places that 'might' still be available online.
Even though the majority of the original articles no longer exist online, their headlines, as shown below, still tell a great deal about what was happening.
Last new entry added: 11/2/2002 - scroll down
Endeavour seen drawing people back to trains (Evening Standard, 4/11/1972) The story of the Bay Express' predecessor (1972-1989).
Bay Express proves popular ('Rails' magazine, March 1990) on the Bay Express's inaugural trip in December 1989, and all that was promised.
LTSA Report on the Bay Express derailment on 12 November 1995 - At Pukehou, between Waipukurau and Hastiings with one fatality.
Tranz Rail Media Release re refurbished carriages for the Bay Express - 3 April 1996 - Also details of a package tour to HB - tthe 'Hawke's Bay Wine Experience Tour'.
The 1997 Bay Express postage stamp - and the webpage with the associated information.
Tranz Rail Media Release re new cafe carriage on Bay Express - 19 November 1997 - The carriages are now painted light bluee, and have the Tranz Scenic logo. Also refers to the official opening of Ormondville Station.
Tranz Rail findings welcomed (ref. to near miss at Woodville) - 22 June 2001 Also a TAIC report on this near collision - On 19 September 2000, a shunting loco that ran through a danger signal, and the Bay Express, came within 750 metres of a collision.
Tranz Rail clears accident scene (hit digger) - 6 May 2001 - The Bay Express' passengers included people bound for Ormondville Station as B&B guests - as our station guestbook attests!
Where does NZ get off with its railway network? (The Age, Melbourne, 20/10/2000)
The Rail Challenge (Jeanette Fitzsimons MP, Green Party, speech notes for Parliamentary debate, 15/2/2001)
Dialogue: Log-jam looms unless rail reclaimed by state (Jeanette Fitzsimons MP, Green Party, NZ Herald Dialogue article, 30/3/2001)
"RAIL & MARITIME TRANSPORT UNION RELEASES THE PROTECTION OF A NATIONAL RAILWAY NETWORK IN NEW ZEALAND DISCUSSION PAPER" (Media release on the state of NZ's railways)
(Kingston) Flyer ahead on popularity (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 5/6/2001)
National should support rail buy back - Greens (Green Party media release, 8/6/2001)
Australian company preferred buyer for Tranz Scenic package (stuff.co.nz - 11/6/2001)
Tranz Rail debates Gisborne staff cuts (stuff.co.nz - 16/6/2001)
MP seeks Tranz Rail assurance of services (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 20/6/2001)
Southerner threatened says union (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 20/6/2001)
End looms for Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 21/6/2001)
Union claims locomotives poorly maintained (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 21/6/2001)
Green call to 'get back the track' becoming urgent (Green Party media release, 21/6/2001)
Northland shows why Govt. must take back rail track (Green Party media release, 21/6/2001)
Uncertain future for scenic rail rides (TV1 23/6/2001)
Time for country to rally to save rail (Green Party media release, 25/6/2001)
Statement on rail network due today (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 26/6/2001)
West Coast Railway Preferred Tranz Scenic buyer (26/6/2001, Tranz Rail media release)
Regional rail routes sold (TV 1 26/6/2001)
West Coast Railways agrees terms to buy Tranz Scenic (stuff.co.nz - 26/6/2001)
Rail Services face axe (stuff.co.nz - Waikato, 26/6/2001)
Rail passenger service cuts risk serious fragmentation (Green Party media release, 26/6/2001)
Hawkes Bay Today, 27/6/2001 p. 1 [Major headline article, not found online]: Axe hangs over rail link: Bay Express given profit ultimatum
Greens backed in fight for rail link (stuff.co.nz - 27/6/2001)
Tranz Rail sells New Zealand Long-Distance passenger operation (Overseas report, 27/6/2001 and scroll down)
Kaimai Express' last trip in about two months (Bay of Plenty, 27/6/2001)
Regional rail campaign gathers steam (TV 1 27/6/2001)
Tranz Scenic buyer sees profits (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 27/6/2001)
Dannevirke rail link earmarked for closure (Dannevirke, 27/6/2001)
Geyserland Express faces uncertain future (stuff.co.nz - Bay of Plenty, 27/6/2001)
Only a dozen on train service (stuff.co.nz - Waikato, 27/6/2001)
Editorial: Trains still vital to Bay (stuff.co.nz - HB, 28/6/2001)
Cartoon: Tranz Rail Executives (stuff.co.nz - 28/6/2001)
Rail service buyer offers hope of reprieve (stuff.co.nz - 28/6/2001)
Subsidies may save express (Bay of Plenty, 28/6/2001)
Talks to save Southerner, others (28/6/2001)
Rail group meet Goshe (HB, 29/6/2001)
Reynolds rallies for rail (stuff.co.nz - 29/6/2001)
Editorial: Rail's demise is a line of the times (stuff.co.nz - 29/6/2001)
Hopes for tourism boost (Gisborne, 29/6/2001) (& scroll down page)
Christchurch meeting calls for fast united action to save Southerner (Christchurch, 29/6/2001)
Capital rail service safe (stuff.co.nz - 2/7/2001)
Planning to keep the Bay Express on track (stuff.co.nz - 2/7/2001)
Environment BOP considers bolstering train service (Bay of Plenty, 2/7/2001)
Napier mayor takes to the tracks (HB, 3/7/2001)
Trip convinces mayor of rail's value (stuff.co.nz - 3/7/2001)
Christchurch Star newspaper polls back Save the Southerner Call (Christchurch, 4/7/2001)
Editorial: Railway proving no sleeper issue (stuff.co.nz - Bay of Plenty, 4/7/2001)
Talks held on rail link (HB, 5/7/2001)
Council in no rush to catch last train (Waikato, 5/7/2001)
No funds yet for Bay train (HB, 6/7/2001)
Kingston Flyer back on market (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 6/7/2001)
Steam 'may be answer' for rail (HB, 7/7/2001)
Rail company confident of Tranz Scenic deal (stuff.co.nz - 7/7/2001)
Mayors convince rail firm to investigate running Bay Express (HB, 10/7/2001)
Optimism that Bay Express will survive (stuff.co.nz - 10/7/2001)
Head Office sagas: (win) one lose one (stuff.co.nz - 11/7/2001)
Saving of rail link a possibility (Gisborne, 11/7/2001) (& scroll down page)
Wellington Regional Council report on the Bay Express (see the attached pdf meeting reports, 13/7/2001)
Bid to save Bay Express goes online (HB 14/7/2001)
Prebble: give up on Express (HB 17/7/2001)
Cutoff date set for rail bookings (HB, 18/7/2001)
Deadline for Bay Express bookings (Dannevirke, 18/7/2001 & scroll down page)
Mayors and minister to talk trains (Waikato, 19/7/2001)
Snakes, ladders and pirates play the privatisation game (Waikato, 19/7/2001)
Venture Southland may buy (Kingston) Flyer (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 20/7/2001)
Rod to ride on Tim's train (Green Party media release, 20/7/2001)
Gravy Train: Is a multimillion-dollar goverment buyback the only way to save New Zealand's rundown railways? (feature article ex-Listener 21/7/2001)
Profitable Southerner rescue trips (Xtra, 21/7/2001)
Hamilton Mayor wants train subsidy (TV1 News, 21/7/2001)
West Coast (Rail) to be asked to help pay for survey (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 21/7/2001)
Profit not passion will save train (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 21/7/2001)
City folk flock to Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 23/7/2001)
More discussions on Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 23/7/2001)
Wine, luxury plan to save Bay Express (stuff.co.nz - 23/7/2001)
Luxury and wine plan for express (HB 23/7/2001)
Southerner needs twice the passengers (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 24/7/2001)
Double numbers needed on Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 24/7/2001)
Plan for luxury rail link (Gisborne, 24/7/2001)
Southerner numbers aim 'unrealistic'; Uphill battle for rail against cheap shuttle fares & Survey decision sought (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 25/7/2001)
Hush, hush around the (Kingston) Flyer (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 25/7/2001)
Editorial: Growing an artery for HB (25/7/2001 Refers also to US, Australian tourists flock to Bay & Tourists set to cruise into Napier in droves, both 24/7/2001 )
Tim gains Southerner support (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 26/7/2001)
City rail sidings could get the shunt (stuff.co.nz - Waikato, 26/7/2001)
Opinion: Fewer people are using trains (stuff.co.nz - Auckland, re Auckland's situation, 26/7/2001)
Speeding trains may be damaging school children's heath (Bay of Plenty, 26/7/2001)
Tranz Rail hopes subsidy can save threatened (Napier-Gisborne) line (stuff.co.nz - 27/7/2001)
Mayors respond to campaign (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 27/7/2001)
Blind put their faith on the line (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 27/7/2001)
Stop off in Studholme, mayor says (stuff.co.nz - South Canterbury, 27/7/2001)
Tranz Rail accused of focus on road (stuff.co.nz - 27/7/2001)
City (of Palmerston North) being railroaded (stuff.co.nz - PN 27/7/2001)
Back on track with the wine country express? (Napier Mail, 27/7/2001)
Subsidised seats among rail ideas (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 28/7/2001)
Opinion: A call to action on the Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 28/7/2001)
$1.3 million subsidy 'needed' for Kaimai Express (Bay of Plenty, 28/7/2001)
Ratepayer cost to keep rail line will be steeper & Support for renaming train (Gisborne, 30/7/2001 & scroll down)
Rail fate lies in councils' hands (HB 30/7/2001)
Save the Southerner and stop GE (Green MP, Rod Donald's column in the Canerbury Times, 31/7/2001)
Rails (August 2001) magazine's major article: 'West Coast bid succeeds' An extensive account of the whole issue to that point.
Call for city to save rail service (stuff.co.nz - PN 1/8/2001 - and for the record 'Val Burr' mentioned in this article is a "she", and not a "he". I know this because I am her!!)
Committee supports Southerner campaign (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 2/8/2001)
Southerner has one month deadline (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 2/8/2001)
Cost of engines could derail express (HB, 2/8/2001)
Tranz Rail announces annual result (Tranz Rail media release, 2/8/2001)
Tranz Rail sees 'huge potential' on roads (stuff.co.nz - Business, 3/8/2001)
Subsidy latest blow for express (HB, 3/8/2001)
Put money where mouth is (Letter - Napier Mail, 3/8/2001 and scroll down)
Lots of options in rail partners (stuff.co.nz - Business, 3/8/2001)
Race on to save train service (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 4/8/2001)
(Taieri) Railway company set to turn the tables (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 4/8/2001)
Higher subsidy threatens service (stuff.co.nz - Dom. HB, 4/8/2001)
Subsidy level stuns (Gisborne, 6/8/2001 and scroll down)
Tranz Rail blamed as hopes fade (stuff.co.nz - Dom. HB, 7/8/2001)
Subsidy increase a blow to Bay Express rescue scheme (HB, 7/8/2001)
Council rejects rail subsidy plan (stuff.co.nz - Dom. Wellington, 8/8/2001)
Bay Express future up for discussion (stuff.co.nz - PN, 8/8/2001)
Support for rail link confirmed (Gisborne, 8/8/2001 and scroll down)
Mayors angry at Tranz Rail train selloff (stuff.co.nz - Dom. Wellington/Wairarapa, 9/8/2001)
[Refers to a Napier City Council meeting, see 2nd to last paragraph] (stuff.co.nz - Dom, HB, 9/8/2001)
Southerner supporters given boost (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 11/8/2001)
Rates may be needed to pay for train link (stuff.co.nz - Waikato, 11/8/2001)
Southerner's fate decided in the next 48 hours (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 13/8/2001)
Bid to save Bay Express running out of steam (HB, 13/8/2001)
Councils wary about cost of saving train (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 14/8/2001)
West Coast Rail wants Southerner by not 'Shadbolt's money' (Otago, 14/8/2001 and scroll down)
Truck crash solution: reject juggernaut trucks, buy back rail (Green Party media release, 14/8/2001)
Mayor in last ditch effort to save service (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 15/8/2001)
Rail service consensus in doubt (stuff.co.nz - Dunedin, 15/8/2001)
Splits may derail Southerner fight (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 15/8/2001)
Councils fail to back rail deal (TV1 re Southerner, 15/8/2001)
Setback for future of Southerner (TV1, incl. video, 16/8/2001)
New bid to resurrect the Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 16/8/2001)
Southerner could be off the rails (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 16/8/2001)
Editorial: Trying to stay on track (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 16/8/2001)
Southerner campaign falls short (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 16/8/2001) Includes the remark: "Mr (Rod) Donald said he would approach the Government about subsidising the Southerner and the Bay Express until Christmas, allowing costing and projections to be made."
Service looks set to end (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 16/8/2001)
Bay Express future may be decided today (HB, 16/8/2001)
Rail line safe & Freight service talks continued (Gisborne, 16/8/2001)
Australian company West Coast Rail hopes to operate in New Zealand (7:57-minute item from the 'Holmes' show, TV1, 16/8/2001 - and scroll down to 16/8/2001 entries. Note this probably will vanish after the end of August)
Ray of hope for Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 17/8/2001) Includes: "Mr Anderton was responding to a question from Green co-leader Rod Donald, who asked whether regional development money could be used to keep the Southerner, which runs between Invercargill and Christchurch, and the Bay Express, between Napier and Wellington, running until Christmas, allowing their viability to be assessed."
Southerner 'near impossible' for private operators to run (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 17/8/2001) Due to track access charges
Editorial: Goodbye train (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 17/8/2001)
Thumbs down (Letter - Napier Mail, 17/8/2001 and scroll down)
Council won't bail out Bay Express (HB, 17/8/2001)
Editorial: Last stop for express? (HB, 17/8/2001)
Hopes fading for Kaimai Express (Bay of Plenty, 17/7/2001)
Kaimai Express' future depends on Tauranga district council (stuff.co.nz - Bay of Plenty, 18/8/2001)
Editorial: Southerner silliness (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 18/8/2001) This one will have the average rail-fan thinking angry thoughts.
Southerner a lost cause (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 18/8/2001) This one will again have the average rail-fan thinking angry thoughts.
Greens offer funds toward saving Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 18/8/2001)
Cardno 'racing the train' (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 18/8/2001) re take back the tracks
Wheels come off train rescue bid (stuff.co.nz - Dom. - HB, 18/8/2001)
Light rail idea launched (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 20/8/2001) Kiwi ''Son of Southerner'?
Cardno to seek more info on train services (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 21/8/2001)
Losses put rail freight operation in jeopardy (Gisborne, 21/8/2001)
End of the line for Waikato train (TV1 News, 21/8/2001)
Southerner future still remains unclear (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 22/8/2001)
Mayor hints at reprieve for Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 23/8/2001)
Bay Express rescue efforts fail (HB, 23/8/2001)
Greens welcome Southerner extension (Green Party media release, 23/8/2001) Includes: "Mr Donald said the Government should commit to keeping both the Southerner and the Bay Express running until the end of the year, during which time the ongoing viability of these services could be properly assessed."
Southerner extension possible (NZ Government media release, 23/8/2001)
Reprieve possible for Southerner (TV1 News, 23/8/2001)
Tranz Rail suspends dividends (TV1 Business News, 23/8/2001)
Shuttle bus operator 'disappointed' with Southerner proposal (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 24/8/2001)
Hope for train (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 24/8/2001) The Press sounding 'friendly' to trains again, unlike 18/8/2001 above.
End of the railway line (Napier Mail, 24/8/2001)
Baldock seeking third term on HBRC (Napier Mail, 24/8/2001) Including: “Issues such as the Bay Express should unite all local authorities in seeking a solution to retaining this important service,” said Mr Baldock.
No money for Bay Express (stuff.co.nz - PN, 24/8/2001)
Railcar breather welcomed (Xtra, 24/8/2001) re: Southerner
Bay leaders seek Express reprieve (HB, 24/8/2001) Napier mayor & HB Regional Council chairman seek same objects as being sought for Southerner.
Extension of Southerner service past September possible (Christchurch Star, 24/7/2001)
Shadbolt to back Southerner three (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 27/8/2001) for the local Regional Council
Mayors in bid to save trains (Waikato, 30/8/2001) That is seven mayors and three trains.
Bus could help save Bay Express (HB, 31/8/2001) A bus run by West Coast Railway that connects with the Overlander at Palmerston North.
Plans to save Waikato trains may be scuttled (stuff.co.nz - Waikato, 31/8/2001) West Coast Railway wants to use railcars elsewhere.
Tranz Rail media release: Tranz Scenic services to stay open until October 7 (31/8/2001)
Tranz Rail signals last day of service for four services (stuff.co.nz - Dom. HB, 1/9/2001) Excluding Southerner. Note says 4 October.
Southerner talks continue (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 1/9/2001) Note says North Is. services finish 7 October.
Battle lost: Bay Express to go (HB, 1/9/2001)
Terminal for region's rail services (Waikato, 6/9/2001)
Tim continues his journey to rescue the Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 7/9/2001)
Environment Southland told to back Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 7/9/2001)
TranzRail sabotaging rail in New Zealand (Green Party media release, 7/9/2001)
Special journey (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 13/9/2001) Southerner excursion
DCC may help with rescue package for Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 14/9/2001)
Rail link future concern (Gisborne, 14/9/2001 and scroll down)
Marketing study on rail planned (Gisborne, 15/9/2001 and scroll down)
Don't rob South Port to pay for a doomed Southerner service (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 17/9/2001)
Council applies brakes to Southerner deal (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 18/9/2001)
Council funds unlikely for Southerner service (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 18/9/2001)
Mayor commits $100,000 to train bailout (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 19/9/2001) Re Southerner
DCC's Southerner decision attacked (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 19/9/2001)
Southerner discomfort: who said what (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 20/9/2001)
Mayor cites pressure for train pledge (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 20/9/2001)
Southerner viability under assessment (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 20/9/2001)
ORC offers $10,000 to rail (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 20/9/2001)
Govt lifeline for Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 21/9/2001)
Southerner offered lifeline (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 21/9/2001)
Lifeline thrown for Southerner service (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 21/9/2001)
Rail link up in air again (HB Today, 22/9/2001)
Invercargill may underwrite Southerner bill (Xtra, 22/9/2001)
A duty to save southern transport (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 22/9/2001)
Doubts from council over train package (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 22/9/2001)
Rail link up in air again (HB, 22/9/2001)
Bus companies want $4 'Southerner' subsidy (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 24/9/2001)
Tourist train proposal 'not commercial' (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 24/9/2001)
Rail subsidy upsets bus firms (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 24/9/2001)
Councils to discuss saving Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 25/9/2001)
Positive outlook over train's future (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 25/9/2001)
Council cuts Southerner funding (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 26/9/2001)
Four rail services to close, Southerner in doubt (stuff.co.nz - N.Z.P.A., 26/9/2001)
Carrying rail (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 27/9/2001)
Mayor supporting $35,000 towards saving Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 27/9/2001)
Councils given time limit (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 27/9/2001)
Council contributes $2,000 to Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 27/9/2001)
Southerner to stay on track (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 28/9/2001)
Council keeps Southerner on track (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 28/9/2001)
Christchurch council gives Southerner an extra 4 months (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 28/9/2001)
Argyle dumps Southerner tag (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 28/9/2001)
Christchurch City Council and Ecan contribute to Southerner rescue package (Christchurch Star, 28/9/2001)
Observing the council's train debate (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 29/9/2001)
Legal worries about Southerner rescue (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 29/9/2001)
Editorial: A weakness revealed (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio) The rediscovery of [what's left of] train travel in the US following Sept. 11th. Renewed interest in Amtrak.
Southerner is a dead duck (stuff.co.nz - Timaru, 3/10/2001)
Equity stake the right solution for Air NZ (Green Party media release, 4/10/2001) i.e. planes saved, now save rail.
Mayor says poll shows train support (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 4/10/2001)
Rail bid runs out of steam (stuff.co.nz - Palm. Nth., 4/10/2001)
US trains benefit from air woes (BBC News, 4/10/2001) Just as NZ stops half its passenger trains from running!!
The end of an era for passenger rail (Green Party media release, 5/10/2001)
Govt had no alternative - Clark (stuff.co.nz - Evening Post, 5/10/2001) Re buying back Air NZ and Auckland area trains - Clark: "Governments all round the world have privatised assets like rail and airlines but when push comes to shove, governments can't stand aside from them because they're too important in the national infrastructure. The issues are the same with rail. If Tranz Rail, and I'm talking in the hypothetical, were to vacate all rail lines, New Zealand could not afford from an economic point of view and an environmental point of view . . . to have all the traffic that goes on rail come on to road. In both rail and air, there are significant national strategic issues."
Council votes to buy passenger rail services (Wellington Regional Council media release, 5/10/2001) Re: Wellington area trains
Ethne sad to see the end of passenger rail service (HB Today, 6/10/2001)
Passenger rail routes farewelled (TV1, 7/10/2001)
Byers 'is about to take over Railtrack' (independent.co.uk, 7/10/2001)
Fans farewell the Bay Express (stuff.co.nz - HB - Dom, 8/10/2001)
Feature: End of the line (stuff.co.nz - Palm. Nth., 8/10/2001)
Railtrack (in UK) collapses under debts (newsroom.co.nz, 8/10/2001)
Christian Wolmar: Railtrack - a flawed idea from the start: 'Railtrack owned a railway which had been so under-invested for so long that it was virtually worthless ' (independent.co.uk, 8/10/2001)
Dunedin council okays Southerner support (newsroom.co.nz, 8/10/2001)
Final farewell for Bay Express (HB Today, 8/10/2001)
Editorial: Service needed more than hope (HB Today, 8/10/2001)
Last passenger train leaves city (Bay of Plenty, 8/10/2001) re Kaimai Express
Railtrack chief quits and fires broadside against government (independent.co.uk, 9/10/2001)
Dunedin's $35,000 seals Southerner deal (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 9/10/2001)
Council gives $35,000 for rail deal (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 9/10/2001)
Last train like burying family pet (stuff.co.nz - Rotorua, 9/10/2001)
Train rides roll into past (Gisborne Herald, 9/10/2001 and scroll down)
Letter from Elsewhere: I like trains (scoop.co.nz, 10/10/2001)
Southerner wins some extra time (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 10/10/2001)
Southerner gets four-month extension (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 10/10/2001)
Southerner service still shows red (stuff.co.nz - Christchurch, 10/10/2001)
Bay Express misses out (stuff.co.nz - HB-Dom, 10/10/2001)
'Take back the Track' petition presentation (Rail & Maritime Transport Union media release, 10/10/2001)
Regional council pulls train funds (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 11/10/2001)
Opinion: The right track? (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 11/10/2001)
Opinion: Duty of due diligence (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 12/10/2001)
Britain provides lesson on rail leadership (Green Party media release, 17/10/2001)
Southerner bookings slip (stuff.co.nz - Otago, 17/10/2001)
Rail loss puts extra trucks on HB road (HB Today, 26/10/2001)
Bay Express crash causes 'foreseeable' (stuff.co.nz - Palm. Nth, 4/2/2002)
Sadness as Southerner bids farewell (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 11/2/2002)
Crowds farewell Southerner (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 11/2/2002)
Times train-ing run at an end (stuff.co.nz - Southland, 11/2/2002)
Article re last Southerner trip (stuff.co.nz - Sth. Canterbury, 11/2/2002)
See also the 'News' page on the National Federation of Rail Societies Inc's website.
www.stuff.co.nz (Mostly Dominion and Manawatu Evening Standard, but also increasingly Otago, Southland, and some Waikato etc. However, since these pages were collected, they stopped making their archive accessible except at a high cost).
www.tvnz.co.nz (TVNZ - TV1 News, formerly nzoom.com)
Other websites showing the 'Bay Express'
Bay Express modelled in Lego (Also a couple of photos of the real one)
A German tourist's trip on the (substitute) Bay Express on 5 December 1998 (Four pages of views the train's route between Napier and Wellington, although all are taken from the bus that was filling in that day. This trip came six weeks after the Milk Train's two locos hit a slip and went over the side into the Manawatu Gorge [on 21/10/1998] and sometimes when work was underway to retrieve the bottom loco - which took weeks - other trains couldn't use the route. The tourist, Steffen, captured the train wreck too. Its the photo with the time shown as "16:47". He also travelled on the Coastal Pacific (now called Tranz Coastal) and Overlander (at least), and photos of these trips also appear. The text is in German.)
