South Island Limited Express poster

Following the lead of the North Island main trunk line, the South Island's main line had its own 'Limited Express' from 1949 until 1970, when it was replaced by the new Southerner service. The ordinary Christchurch-Dunedin express was the last scheduled steam-hauled service in New Zealand. Its withdrawal on 25 October 1971 brought the steam age to an end on New Zealand railways.