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From issue: Winter 2003

Ten of the Best

by Reid McNaught

Reid McNaught, Features Editor of New Zealand Railfan, recommends his top 10 choices of New Zealand rail trips.

Western Springs Tramway
Museum of Transport and Technology (Motat)

Take the tram from Motat to the Auckland Zoo on a pleasant "memory lane" ride adjacent to Western Springs Park in wonderfully restored heritage tram cars originally used in Auckland and Wellington.
Location: Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.
Telephone: (09) 815 5800

Glenbrook Vintage Railway

Experience the romance of the old NZR riding in restored vintage passenger carriages behind a hard-working steam locomotive over a six-kilometre section of the old Waiuku branch line between Glenbrook and Fernleigh.
Location: Glenbrook Station Rd, Glenbrook (near Waiuku), South Auckland.
Telephone: (0800) 472 453 or (09) 636 9361

Silverstream Railway

One of the largest collections of operating former NZR steam power in the country. Ride along a 1.5-kilometre section of line re-laid on the formation of the original Hutt Valley Railway.
Location: Eastern Hutt Rd, Silverstream, Upper Hutt.
Telephone: (04) 971 5747 or (04) 563 7348

Taieri Gorge Railway Photo: David Wall

Weka Pass Railway

Recall the era of rural train travel with a ride in vintage former NZR passenger carriages through scenic Weka Pass on the 13-kilometre-long railway from Waipara to Waikari, using vintage former NZR steam and diesel locomotives.
Location: Glenmark Railway Station, Waipara, North Canterbury.
Telephone: (03) 962 2999

Christchurch Tramway

The best way to see downtown Christchurch, the Cathedral and the Arts Centre. A frequent service using an extensive range of restored historic Christchurch and Dunedin tram cars running on a 2.5-kilometre loop line.
Location: Cathedral Square and other signposted stops on the line.
Telephone: (03) 366 7830.

Pleasant Point Railway

Operating two-kilometre vintage railway built on the formation of the old Fairlie branch. Experience riding in an historic "half birdcage" carriage behind vintage ex-NZR steam power or their unique Ford Model T railcar.
Location: Pleasant Point (20 kilometres north west of Timaru), South Canterbury.
Telephone: (03) 686 2269.

TranzAlpine Passenger Train

One of the "Top Ten" train journeys in the world. From Christchurch to Greymouth and return over the famed Midland Line with a superb scenic backdrop of the Southern Alps, deep river valleys and lush West Coast countryside.
Location: Addington Railway Station, Christchurch, or Greymouth Railway Station.
Telephone: (0800) 872 467 or (03) 341 2588

Taieri Gorge Railway

A world-class train ride. Running over the "bottom end" of the old Otago Central Branch Railway from Dunedin to Pukerangi, the 116-kilometre return trip features spectacular sights, numerous tunnels and majestic wrought-iron viaducts in the rugged Taieri River Gorge.
Location: Dunedin Railway Station.
Telephone: (03) 477 4449.

Kingston Flyer Railway

A Kiwi icon, the Kingston Flyer is the country's premier steamtrain experience. Featuring former NZR steam locomotives and heritage passenger cars, the 14-kilometre-long track takes passengers through a glacial moraine valley south of Lake Wakatipu.
Location: Kingston or Fairlight Railway Stations, south of Queenstown on State Highway 6.
Telephone: (0800) 435 937 or (03) 248 8848.

Main Line Steam Excursions

Travel to many parts of the country on an excursion train hauled by a former NZR steam locomotive. Some trips use contemporary Tranz Scenic passenger cars, others the listed organisation's own restored former NZR heritage carriages.

Operated by and from:
Gisborne City Vintage Railway from Gisborne Railway Station.
Telephone: (06) 867 3563.
Mainline Steam Trust from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Railway Stations.
Telephone: (0800) 462 978 or (09) 270 5592.
Railway Enthusiasts Society primarily from Auckland Railway Station.
Telephone: (0800) 472 453 or (09) 636 9361.
Steam Incorporated from Paekakariki and Wellington Railway Stations.
Telephone: (0800) 783 264 or (04) 905 1271.