Parnell's train station is meant to be the start of a romantic journey through iconic North Island scenery, New Zealand's own Orient Express. But the reality underwhelms.
The other station is around is Britomart – it's three kilometres away, and it's the $200 million transport hub of Auckland.
But Auckland Transport wanted $600,000 to overhaul fans to cope with KiwiRail's diesel train.
So instead they're opting for a $200,000 facelift to Parnell Station, which boasts a container unit as a ticket office.
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