Re-Allocation
In 1987, a programme was initiated to upgrade all long-distance passenger trains, and the first train targeted for revamping was the Greymouth "West Coast" Express. An Endeavour car, with hostess compartment, was rebuilt as a servery car for the new TranzAlpine. A second Endeavour car became a servery car for the new Southerner in 1988, a third car was scrapped and two were extensively overhauled for the replacement Wellington-Napier-Wellington passenger train. The last car and the two car-vans remained on the Endeavour until the service ended.
Prior to the introduction of the Bay Express, the existing Endeavour Express car, seating 54, and car-vans, seating 46, had their seats reupholstered with sheepskin coverings in an interim attempt to provide more comfort until the "newer" cars arrived.
On Saturday, 4 November 1989, InterCity implemented a new timetable. It had been planned for the Bay Express to have been in service by this date, but because the newer cars were still being rebuilt and both Palmerston North and Napier refreshment rooms closed on the same date, the former NIMT car turned Southerner later Kiwi Lager Express buffet car was added to the Endeavour consist in the interim.
This train, with only the third modular van left available for baggage, and steel box wagons built at Addington between 1978–1982 for parcels, ran until Sunday, 10 December 1989.
When the new train started, the 54-seat Endeavour car and one car-van joined the Wairarapa Connection, while the other car-van became an InterCity spare car.
In 1991, the 54-seat Endeavour car was extensively overhauled and refurbished to become the second incarnation of The Connoisseur car.
Read more about this topic: Endeavour (train)