Key gives new rail ride big thumbs up

Rotorua entrepreneur Neil Oppatt forgives people for thinking he was mad when he came up with the idea of a self-drive railway venture.

A little more than two years later he and his wife, Jane, have seen RailCruiser turn from dream to reality with Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism John Key officially opening the new tourist venture yesterday.

Mr Key admitted he would have sent Mr Oppatt to a psychiatric hospital if he had come to him with the idea but, after getting his first taste of the Oppatts' RailCruiser V3000 - the world's first fully-automated petrol-electric hybrid railway vehicle - he was mightily impressed.

"Good on you for going ahead with this. It's a great ride and I really enjoyed it. I think you've got a great product ... It worked like a treat. No doubt you'll get a lot of tourists," Mr Key said.

He was in control as he drove Mr McClay from a station at Tarukenga, 20km through ancient native bush to the RailCruiser Mamaku headquarters.

The attraction has been operating since the start of the year and had already drawn more people than expected, Mr Oppatt said.

"With 47 cruise ships due in Tauranga this summer, we are looking forward to a busy season."

Mr Oppatt said the RailCruiser was ideal for mature travellers who wanted some adventure "... but not as much as bungee jumping".

Mr McClay said the venture was another great reason to visit Rotorua.

"This is one more thing that makes Rotorua a stand-out visitor destination."