X-Nico

2 unusual facts about South Island Limited


South Island Limited

A stretch of fairly straight track across the Canterbury Plains near Rakaia acquired the nickname of "the racetrack" in New Zealand railway jargon due to the high speeds late-running South Island Limiteds would achieve.

Expresses between Christchurch and Dunedin began operating as soon as the Main South Line was opened.


Limited express

The South Island Limited express ran three days a week from Christchurch through Dunedin to Invercargill, with a slower regular express operating on the other four days.


see also