In December 2012, the Silver Fern railcars celebrated 40 years of commercial service, a record not achieved by any other railcar. Graeme Carter presents a summary of their long careers. Writing in the 1971 Annual Report of New Zealand Railways the General Manager, Ivan Thomas, said, 'The results of the great deal of planning and detailed study that has lately gone into the promotion and development of the department's passenger activities are now becoming apparentwith thevery successful introduction lastyearofthe Southerner services in the South Island. The introduction of the new Silver Star services in the North Island in September this year will provide further evidence of this work.
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