As hobbyists and lobbyists alike are stationing themselves on the web can our 21st century information superhighway, the internet, show us there's still steam in the boiler of the world's first superhighway?
Tranz Rail, New Zealand's monopoly rail company, has signalled its move to concentrate on freight rather than passenger services.
It has sold the Auckland rail corridors and commuter trains to the Government and will sell the Wellington commuter services this year to a partnership of local government and private interests.
Tranz Rail was to have sold its long-haul Tranz Scenic passenger services, too, but has instead kept a half share in a joint venture with Victorian company West Coast Railway.
In Auckland the track ahead isn't so clear. Finding a specific mention of trains in the ARC Land Transport Strategy is virtually impossible.
The strategy "identifies the need for significant improvements in rapid transit services, but leaves the actual form of rapid transit to be determined following further investigation and negotiation with suppliers".
Herald journalist Simon Collins sums up the Auckland transport debate in the story: Auckland's great headache.
Light rail is the particular target of the anti-public transport lobby, which is especially strong in the United States.
Wendell Cox, an Illinois-based transport consultant, claims responsibility for scuttling rail projects in Milwaukee and Florida and has prepared policy reports on light rail for projects in Victoria, Sydney and Auckland.
Railroading America is committed to opposing light rail in US. These lobbyists have been described as pro-road, and Cox has been linked to the automotive and road construction industries.
But it's not all transport planning and pro- and anti-advocacy on the tracks of cyberspace.
The mainlines and sidings are packed with established commercial operators and oily-fingered rail buffs reflecting the undiminished allure of trains for young and old.
Your pre-schooler will thank you for visiting Thomasthetankengine.com. The Engine Depot has a potted biography of every character. The Engine Shed game lets little ones click on a door to see which engines are in the shed today.
Anyone who has delved into the London Underground - "Mind the Gap!" - might like to vote in the "tube etiquette" poll: choose the most annoying thing about people on the tube - is it "people with accordions", or "people who look like they may have an accordion at home"?.
The National Federation of Rail Societies was "formed in 1972 to provide co-ordination and leadership to the heritage and tourist rail industry in New Zealand". It has links to the likes of Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
For a bit of nostalgia read a brief history of NZ Rail refreshment rooms and their fondly remembered chunky white crockery with the blue insignia.
The web has several directories of rail-related sites. Two comprehensive ones are TrainWeb - "the largest and most visited railroad website in the world", and RailroadData - with more than 4000 links.
To tell your tank valve rod from your triple-winding relay, look it up on the Railway Dictionary.
Stand well back from your speakers at Tommy Batts' homage to locomotive horns. Includes LOUD recordings.
The romance of rail travel is epitomised by one train. For a taste of the Orient Express, click on the "trains & cruises" link to choose from several decadent rail journeys.
Futurist Roger Herman believes rail travel in America could receive a boost from the fear of flying induced by last September's terrorist attacks, as long as travellers get all the comforts they're used to on the airlines.
For something closer to home but perhaps as exotic, head down the line to Taupo. The Caboose Taupo Hotel has 57 rooms, "rich in African decor replicating the luxurious rail travel of the famous Colonial African era".
Around the world, there's still plenty of steel left in the Iron Horse.
In Britain rail usage rose 25 per cent between 1996 and 2000 to its highest level for 55 years. The new strategic plan for UK rail released in January includes plans for 1700 new coaches, £370 million of improvements at 1000 stations and £330 million for track and signalling.
Unfortunately the £600,000 ($1,985,000) a year it costs to run the Royal Train, with its two engines Prince William and Prince Henry, won't be coming out of the £33.5 billion of public money.
Auckland Rail Deal Clinched
West Coast Railway
ARC Land Transport Strategy
Strategic plan for UK rail
The Royal Train
