Queenstown - Wilderness Railway

West Coast Wilderness Railway trip today. We love a good train ride and this was a GOOD train ride. Boarding at Queenstown station, it is so obvious that the tourist industry down here is struggling. We had 10 people in our carriage that would normally hold 26. To start the day off properly we were greeted with a glass of bubbles. The carriages look like they are brand new but are done in the style of the old carriages. Very comfortable without being luxurious. The steam locomotive is the original that first came to Queenstown in 1897. I won't go into the history here as there is plenty elsewhere. Suffice to say it was a fascinating trip with spectacular scenery and was most enjoyable.
We can now say we have been on the the steepest gradient climbed by a regular train in the Southern Hemisphere, between Dubbil Barril and Rinadeena (1 in 12 or 8.33%). This is achieved due to the ABT Rack and Pinion system that is still in perfect condition.
After we returned we took a short drive out to Horsetail Falls and Iron Blow Lookouts. This is rugged country.Read more