A quick word with Marcus Lush

Marcus Lush

The intrepid journeyman takes us on a railway jaunt from Bluff at the southern tip of the South Island to Opua in the Bay of Islands, during the 12-part series, Off the Rails - A Love Story. For those of you who think the local railway network is nearly extinct, think again. Lush travels on coal trains, passenger trains and even the underground Auckland train from Penrose to Hobson St. Bet you didn't know Auckland had an underground.

Why is the show called Off the Rails?

It is called Off the Rails - A Love Story. The title was just a working title and it stuck. "Railrider" was considered but fortunately we thought better of it. I like Off the Rails as it also refers to someone who doesn't fit the bell curve of normality. I met plenty of those in my trip - in a good way.

Are there enough trains in New Zealand to do a series?

I rode more than 50 - and a pedallo [a pedal-operated boat]. I had to ride the pedallo because the railway was at the bottom of a lake. That's what happens when you follow your brief too closely.

What was the brief?

To ride all the rail there is to ride. And when the rail was no longer there to ride, then to follow where it used to go.

Are trains romantic?

That is a silly question - like asking are movies good. Some trains I am sure can be romantic, although Tangiwai in '53 wasn't. What trains do cause is incredible passion. That is why the show is subtitled "a love story".

Why did you start in Bluff?

It is where I live. The south is also where most rail was earlier on in the piece. Also Bluff is paradise and was one of the few places we could be guaranteed good weather.

Have you always been into trains?

No, never have been. But I am into New Zealand and you can't be into New Zealand with out being into railways, otherwise it's like being into cooking but not into food.

Why didn't you become a train driver?

Don't know. I wish I had. It was never really discussed. I still might. We never had someone from New Zealand Rail come to Auckland Grammar recruiting train drivers. The only guest we ever had at school were the Whetton Twins and this churchy group that sang the theme tune from Prisoner. I think the song was called The Rose.

Favourite train trip?

Too many to mention. Bluff to Invercargill when the broom is in flower. The underground train in Auckland from Penrose to Hobson St - not many know that exists but believe me it does. Napier-Gisborne is stunning. So are all the trips north of Auckland. Actually the better question is probably least favourite rail trip.

What is your least favourite railway trip in New Zealand?

I have never met a train I didn't like.

* Off the Rails - A Love Story starts tomorrow night at 7pm on TV1.