Rail travel by golf cart proving popular for new business

Monday 29th October 2012

Bookings are ahead of budget for a small tourism venture which has adapted golf carts to drive on the mothballed Stratford to Okahukura rail line from Taranaki to the King Country.

Forgotten World Adventures secured a 30-year lease on the line and has modified used golf carts imported from Georgia to run on the tracks.

The issue of signage on the line was raised by a member of the public concerned about safety at the KiwiRail annual meeting on Friday but chief executive Jim Quinn doubted the potential of golf carts to do damage.

Operator Ian Balme said his company was determined not to have accidents and had put in barriers to the golf carts at rail crossings to ensure a "low speed environment".

The so-called SOL line took 32 years to complete and was notoriously difficult to maintain.

It follows the valleys in the remote farming region served by the so-called Forgotten World Highway.

People can drive the modified golf carts both ways between Stratford and Okahukura. The 144km line has 28 hand-dug tunnels, two viaducts, dozens of bridges and passes through a number of historic sites.

Balme said tours started at Labour Weekend and tours were operating in the next few weeks in connection with the Taranaki Garden Spectacular.

The company had about 380 customers set to take tours as of last Friday and had already carried about 300 people, mostly New Zealanders.

This was ahead of budget.

The petrol-driven rail carts are either two or four seats and have a maximum speed of 20kph. They are self-driving, and can carry bicycles.

The cart's rail wheels fit on the tracks so steering is not required. The driver controls acceleration and braking.

Balme is hoping to replicate the success of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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