GKPE IV - % August 2006 - Planning Thread

[FlyingPete]

OK Planning time, orginally tabled for GKPE IV is:

GKPE IV - The Great Suburban Train Adventure

The idea being start at Britomat, and head out the south lines and west lines, stop at points of interest etc, there are still some cool stations out there, and plenty of other photo ops.

You can buy a full day pass that lets you hop on and off as often as you like, so cost won't be too much of any issue.

So the main issue I see with this is the hourly time table that is run on weekends, some stations only have one train an hour and don't stop for more that a minute or two, so we will be at each stop for up to an hour. I believe some of the southerly stations have two coming through per hour, one from the Waterfront line, and one from the Newmarket line.

The main 'to Do' is to find out what the interesting stops are along the way, I will get a station list and time table together.

Any thoughts?

[FlyingPete]

There are three track options, two southern lines and one western, all start at Britomart.

At day pass to go where ever we want is $13.

First Southern line goes via Newmarket and Ellerslie, Stations are:
Brtiomart, Newmarket, Remuera, Greenlane, Ellerslie, Penrose, Westfield, Otahuhu, Middlemore, Papatoetoe, Puhinui, Homai, Manurewa, Te Mahia, Takanini, Papakura (no Pukekohe on Saturday)

Second Southern line goes via the waterfront and Glenn Innes, Stations are:
Brtiomart, Orakei, Meadowbank, Glen Innes, Panmure, Westfield, Otahuhu, Middlemore, Papatoetoe, Puhinui, Homai, Manurewa, Te Mahia, Takanini, Papakura (no Pukekohe on Saturday)

West line goes via Newmarket, Stations are:
Britomart, Newmarket, Boston Road, Mt Eden, Kingsland, Morningside, Baldwin Ave, Mt Albert, Avondale, New Lynn, Fruitvale Road, Glen Eden, Sunnyvale, Henderson, Sturges Road, Ranui, Swanson, Waitakere

[forsaken]

sounds interesting

[CliveyBoy]

I'm sorry to say that it sounds rather uninteresting to me - but there is the challenge: getting good images wherever you find yourself. It sounds like a Townie's idea of a trip in the country.:cool:

Unfortunately, I will miss this one also - 2-day photo trips next week (Waitomo/Marokopa/Raglan), the week after (Ak Arrow 24-hour race), and two weeks later (Warkworth/Leigh), Quite enough travelling for a pensioner.

It'l be great to see what y'all achieve.

[FlyingPete]

I'm sorry to say that it sounds rather uninteresting to me - but there is the challenge: getting good images wherever you find yourself. It sounds like a Townie's idea of a trip in the country.:cool:

Unfortunately, I will miss this one also - 2-day photo trips next week (Waitomo/Marokopa/Raglan), the week after (Ak Arrow 24-hour race), and two weeks later (Warkworth/Leigh), Quite enough travelling for a pensioner.

It'l be great to see what y'all achieve.

Hmmm good feedback, others please speak up if this isn't your thing, this was the only idea we currently have :o

Any better ideas from anyone else are welcome!

An idea Shona had (this one is for summer) was to do the Rain Forest express out in the Waitaks, there is supposed to be some excellent shooting out there (oh and not too much walking!).

[Wazza]

Yay a Saturday.. I have those special days off..

Anyone ever considered Glenbrook one day? That's probably a Saturday only.. Sheesh

Simon: D2 is on 6th August at Taupo.. are you going? I can't make it, had it been the 5th August, I would have been in.

D1NZ July 16 Puke

Round 4 - August 26 Manfield

Round 5 October 7 - New Plymouth

Round 6 November 4 - probably Wellington Street Drift (or possible Taupo I heard).

[Mark0159]

whats glenbrook?

[Wazza]

Vintage Railway near Waiuku...
Could set a theme.. The days are so short and cold anyway...
I'd still be in for a sunrise Auckland, bit of transportation, railways/airports/ardmore, and a sunset..

[CliveyBoy]

whats glenbrook?

Railway preservation Society, west of Pukekohe. It's over a decade since I was last there. That would interest me. Also a trip to Pukemiro, Huntly.

[FlyingPete]

Vintage Railway near Waiuku...
Could set a theme.. The days are so short and cold anyway...
I'd still be in for a sunrise Auckland, bit of transportation, railways/airports/ardmore, and a sunset..

That sounds like an idea, some nice scenery out that way too, and a Steel Mill if that is photogenic.

[joeseph]

Sadly the Glenbrook train, she no run during winter months...

http://www.railfan.org.nz/GVRcontent/GVR_operate.htm

"The regular operating season starts on Labour Weekend (late October) and continues until Queens Birthday (early June)." - Great idea for GKPE V or VI though.

Still, the excursion sounds interesting to me, Looks like there's also a special steam engine excursion on the same day that goes downcountry leaving Britomart at 7:25am - next stop is Middlemore at 8:00 so depending on wether it goes via Orakei could be worth a photo-op? will see if we can find out more.
(see brochure: http://www.railfan.org.nz/_brochures/Steam%20Engine%20Excursions%20B.PDF )

[dgcorner]

Sadly the Glenbrook train, she no run during winter months...

http://www.railfan.org.nz/GVRcontent/GVR_operate.htm

"The regular operating season starts on Labour Weekend (late October) and continues until Queens Birthday (early June)." - Great idea for GKPE V or VI though.

Still, the excursion sounds interesting to me, Looks like there's also a special steam engine excursion on the same day that goes downcountry leaving Britomart at 7:25am - next stop is Middlemore at 8:00 so depending on wether it goes via Orakei could be worth a photo-op? will see if we can find out more.
(see brochure: http://www.railfan.org.nz/_brochures/Steam%20Engine%20Excursions%20B.PDF )

$159 per head is steep...

[scotttnz]

Can't say I'm all that excited about the urban train adventure thing, but I can't stand the idea of you guys taking all those photo's without me, so I'm in for whatever.

The days are short so up early for the sunrise, whatever, sunset, then off to the pub for some food & drink, and home for an early night sounds good to me. Of course if the weather is not good we can skip the sunrise.

As much as we all complained about the long walk, I still think GKPE III was the best one yet.

[forsaken]

Simon: D2 is on 6th August at Taupo.. are you going? I can't make it, had it been the 5th August, I would have been in.


not sure at this stage may make a day trip down

[joeseph]

$159 per head is steep...
I wasn't meaning to suggest we embark on the steam excursion... merely to photograph it as it went!

[Wazza]

not sure at this stage may make a day trip down

Yeah it's apparently on the 5th August not 6th, as someone has hired the 6th for a private day.

So don't know..

[FlyingPete]

OK here is another alternative Shona came up with, this one sort of leads on from our Rangitoto Adventure with less walking, do the rounds on the main volcanic cones around the central isthmus, Mt Wellington, Mt Eden, One Tree Hill, Three Kings, Mt Roskill etc...

Different views from each, different scenery, different photo ops, and we are in control of the time table instead of the train people :D

So there is another alternative, any thoughts on that one?

[scotttnz]

OK here is another alternative Shona came up with, this one sort of leads on from our Rangitoto Adventure with less walking, do the rounds on the main volcanic cones around the central isthmus, Mt Wellington, Mt Eden, One Tree Hill, Three Kings, Mt Roskill etc...

Different views from each, different scenery, different photo ops, and we are in control of the time table instead of the train people

So there is another alternative, any thoughts on that one?

I like that one. Sunrise on one of the volcanoes, sunset on another, and a few other volcanoes in between. It would also be easy for people who can't make the whole day to join us for part of it.

We had a panicked moment last night thinking that GKPE4 fell on our 10th wedding anniversary, but it's ok, we are 5 days out and can celebrate the following weekend.

[joeseph]

Got an e-mail back from the steam excursion folks, apparently the train leaves Britomart as the "Overlander" and only gets it's steam engine hooked up at Pukekohe, so we aren't likely to be anywhere near to take any shots of it live.
There was I wondering what a steam engine would do to the Britomart aircon system!
I'd be happy doing either the all-day train pass suggestion or the volcanic cones.

[Moppie]

Im easy for either, I can probably get the Van again for Volcano hopping.

[FlyingPete]

Any more ideas before we put it too vote?

So far it seems we really only have the two as the steam train thing will be way out of town, and the Glenbrook railway is closed at this time of year, so far the two options are:
- The Great Suburban Train Adventure
- Volcano Time Part 2 - The Lesser Mountains of Auckland

[Wazza]

Still not sure if I'd be able to make this one.

May be in Taupo on 5th August, for some drifting..

[scotttnz]

Still not sure if I'd be able to make this one.

May be in Taupo on 5th August, for some drifting..

Well we could always make it GKPE IV - the Drift South. I'd be keen, although it would be a very long day. Up early, say 4-5am. Head south to Taupo, stop somewhere along the way for the sunrise. Spend a bit of time shooting the drifting (I have been meaning to have another go at motorsport!) Then shoot a bit of Taupo scenery before heading home......just another idea for something a wee bit different to the other GKPE outings.

[Mark0159]

that sounds like an interesting idea. depending on how long one would want to drive but you do sunrise over the lakes at rotoura. go to taupo and then somewhere else for the sunset?

[FlyingPete]

Well we could always make it GKPE IV - the Drift South. I'd be keen, although it would be a very long day. Up early, say 4-5am. Head south to Taupo, stop somewhere along the way for the sunrise. Spend a bit of time shooting the drifting (I have been meaning to have another go at motorsport!) Then shoot a bit of Taupo scenery before heading home......just another idea for something a wee bit different to the other GKPE outings.

We can add that as option 3 to a vote.

ANy more ideas before I put this out to a voting thread?

[Wazza]

:lol: The Drift South..

It's in fact a small day for small first time drivers etc. They're strict on media who attend, and I actually struggled to stay infield with Simon last round.. (which was a championship round).

There's no spectators unfortunately at Taupo..

I think a WRC POTN would be AWESOME however.. ;)
November isn't she?

[forsaken]

WRC POTN sounds good.

of the options on thew table I think the Akl volcano idea sounds good, (If I am in Auck that is)

[Mark0159]

the WRC sounds like a great idea. I might even be in for that idea.

[weka2000]

I will make sure Sandras not working this time. Whats the date?

[scotttnz]

It's in fact a small day for small first time drivers etc. They're strict on media who attend, and I actually struggled to stay infield with Simon last round.. (which was a championship round).

There's no spectators unfortunately at Taupo..

I vote for the volcanoes then.....WRC sounds like a fine idea for GKPE 5

[FlyingPete]

OK Vote thread up, private vote so we can't see anyones choices!

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=190848