Rainforest Express and Auckland Britomart , New Zealand, 25 September 2010

A number of 2ft gauge pipeline maintenance railways operate in the Waitakere Ranges, west of Auckland. Today we rode the 'Rainforest Express' that is operated by Watercare, the water supply authority. Very tourist-oriented, very professional, quite slick, and a little antiseptic. The loading gauge is very restricted because the line travels through small tunnels also occupied by water pipes.

 
At the station where you board, they have an Orenstein & Koppel construction locomotive.

The trip was very scenic but the onboard PA system was too loud for comfort!
They have a flash bogie diesel they say they built themselves in 2001.

Following the return to Auckland, I went on a harbour cruise. This is the very nice ferry terminal.

The Britomart Transport interchange in central Auckland has a below-ground railway station for suburban trains and is very bright and airy, with a mixture of natural light and plentiful electrical illumination.