High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Waikato Connection was a short-lived express passenger train operated by Tranz Scenic between Hamilton and Auckland in New Zealand's North Island.The Waikato Connection was a northern North Island equivalent of the Capital Connection and Wairarapa Connection commuter trains, which operate from Palmerston North and Masterton respectively to Wellington in the southern North Island.It was operated by a Silver Fern railcar and commenced on 26 June 2000. It had a catering service and stopped at intermediate stations such as Huntly and Pukekohe. The train ceased operating on 7 October 2001, the same day as the Geyserland Express, Kaimai Express, and Bay Express. Many, including the mayor of Hamilton Russ Rimmington, saw this cancellation as untimely as the service was just starting to gain popularity.