Endeavour (train) - Extension To Gisborne

Extension To Gisborne

The Endeavour initially terminated in Napier with a connecting unnamed service operating between Napier and Gisborne, which last operated on 30 May 1976. For approximately two years, no passenger service operated between Napier and Gisborne. This was remedied in 1978 when a Napier-Gisborne return rail service was re-introduced, using a pair of AC cars (88-seat railcars converted into un-powered passenger carriages hauled by a locomotive, known as "Grass Grubs" due to their paint scheme). This service connected with the Endeavour at Napier.

The Silver Fern accident on 18 August 1981 saw the Endeavour rolling stock redeployed as a replacement between Wellington and Auckland. In order to provide a through service, Red 56-ft former second class passenger cars of 1937-1945 vintage were reallocated from elsewhere to provide a through Wellington-Gisborne service (with the AC cars for Gisborne reallocated elsewhere in the network). The Endeavour name was never officially used again for this train or any of its successors.

Some of the 56 ft cars had been moderately refurbished with fluorescent strip lighting and a newer type of window, but still with bench seats akin to local buses of the time. Refurbishing of carriages for the Picton-Christchurch express meant that by late 1982 it was able to be operated by more comfortable AC cars. The northbound service left Wellington at 7:45am and reached Gisborne at 6:30pm, the southbound left Gisborne at 9:55am and reached Wellington at 8:40pm. As it lacked a buffet car, stops were made for refreshments in Napier and Palmerston North. Around this time, the train stopped carrying its distinctive headboard.

The Grass Grub carriages did not last long on the Wellington-Gisborne express, as they were not designed to be towed. The articulation and the chassis of the carriages was wearing out, so they were replaced.

When four of the six Endeavour carriages (three cars seating 36, the fourth 32) previously used returned to the run in May 1984, the better three of the red Gisborne-Napier-Gisborne cars were re-assigned to the Masterton commuter runs, but during busy holiday periods they saw regular duty on the Gisborne Expresses, complementing the blues.