the units were replaced by additional carriage services. This freed the units for charter and other services, such as KiwiRail's "Explore by Rail" specials. In 2010, a major refurbishment of the units commenced in Wellington to extend services, with the program completed by mid-2011. A petition by the Campaign for Better Transport which received around 11,500 signatures to start a Waikato rail service between Hamilton and Auckland (like the Waikato Connection which ceased in 2001), it was possible that RM18 and RM24 would be used to provide the service, yet late in 2011 the councils involved voted against the Waikato Connection reinstatement would not go ahead. The proposal fell through late in 2011. In service The Silver Fern offered airline-style service on board. Drinks, snacks and morning newspapers were supplied to passengers. From 1972 to 1988, there was a lunch stop at Taihape for services in both directions. That was replaced by airline-style meals heated on board, and Taihape railway station dining room was closed, the station later being demolished and replaced by a shelter. Charter use Following a refurbishment of RM30, Tranz Scenic operated various excursion services under the Explore by Rail brand. The first of these excursion services was the Silver Fern - Otaki and Beyond Tour which commenced on 19 September 2009. This saw RM30 travelling from Wellington to Feilding and return on 5 Saturdays between September and December 2009. Since the Otaki and Beyond Tour, RM 30 has been used on other Explore by Rail services including: A special Valentine's Day trip in February 2010 from Wellington to Chateau Tongariro (via National Park) for an overnight stay. East Coast Explorer: Ran during Easter weekend 2010. This saw RM30 leave Wellington on Friday heading to Napier, then up to Gisborne on Saturday and return on Sunday. The service will then return to Wellington on Monday. Hawkes Bay Weekender: Operated every second weekend of each month between May and October 2010. This service departs Wellington and travels up to Napier on Saturday and returns to Wellington on Sunday. ANZAC Day - National Park Tour: A special ANZAC weekend service where travelers will go from Wellington to Chateau Tongariro (via National Park) on Saturday. On the Sunday travelers will leave Chateau Tongariro for Waiouru where they will be taken to the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum where travelers attended an ANZAC service followed by a tour of the