Greame gave me a lift to Rolleston station where I caught the Tranz Alpine express to Arthur's Pass. Although it's rush hour there are only 2 of us waiting for the train. It's a bright sunny day but very cold, I was glad of my down jacket.
It was about a 3 hour journey on the train through the mountain's to Arthur's Pass. There is an open carriage at the front of the train for taking photo's which is icy and very cold.
I think there were about 30 tunnels that we went through. The scenery was spactacular. Snow, mountains and great views. Lovely to look at from the train.

At Arthur's Pass there are lots of walking tracks but today they are covered with deep rutted snow and very icy. I decided it was too dangerous to go off walking by myself. So I sat in a cafe reading and drinking tea until the train came back to pick me up.

The train was late and it was freezing waiting on the platform for the train. The heating in the waiting room was on a timer so had already gone off. Once on the train a glass of wine and crisps were required.
By the time we got back to Rolleston we were over 2 hours late. Because of the snow and being on manual signals from Arthur's Pass to Rolleston. A great day out.