On the more significant provincial routes, substituting a mixed train during the off-season was common in the late 19th century (the Rotorua Express), or operating the provincial express twice or thrice weekly while mixed services ran daily (the Taneatua Express).
The practice of substituting mixed trains during the off-season on major provincial routes and operating the provincial express less frequently but more regularly was common in the late 19th century (the Rotorua Express, Taneatua Express).