"De train, de train!"

I don't know how many of you remember the late 70's, early 80's tv show called Fantasy Island. In it each week, as the airplane bringing the current crop of visitors to the island arrived, Tattoo would point and excitedly say, with his unique accent, "De plane, de plane."

I guess for me, New Zeland Is a fantasy island of a sort. I'll go in to that more a little later. In this post though I thought I'd show you our new electric trains. The old diesels (in the header photo) were always noisy and sometimes smelly. They got the job done, but were clearly aged.  

The new trains are sleek, quiet, pollution free, easier to board and have an 'openness' that is very pleasent. Take a look. You'll see what I mean.          

"De train, de train."  Jeanne and I always knew when the diesels were arriving. These a so quiet that they have sometimes surprised us as they arrive. 

Notice the little step beneath the doors that has the yelow border. That extends out from the train after it stops and closes the gap between the platform and the tain. Wheelchair users roll right on and parents don't have to worry that their toddler is going to fall under the train. These cars are wider than the old ones too. Even without the step, there is much less gap between the platform and the train.

This is looking forward. The open arrangement between the cars means that we can see farther and move easily between the cars if we want to.

This is looking back.  You can see the wide accordian-like joint between the cars that give one that feeling of roominess.

There it goes, having deposited us in Henderson. I want to ride it soon, all the way to Britomart in Auckland, and see how much faster it does the trip than the diesels used to.  Today, as you can see, is a very gloomy day. If the sun were out, these photos would be even nicer.  

I can't wait to turn 65. I'll be able to ride 'de train,' and the buses too for free. Woohoo!  -djf