Each year multiple long distance steam engine tours are organised by the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust. They are publicised for bookings to take part on scenic train rides.

The Trust is situated in Parnell, in the heart of Auckland. Public visitors and railway enthusiasts are welcome to view their largest collection of steam engines in New Zealand, from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm.

www.waitakeretramline.org.nz
Phone: (09) 818 4946

The Waitakere Tramline Society voluntarily runs each Sunday four historic rail tours of 5.5 km length. The first one starts by sun and rain at 10 am and the last leaves at 2.30pm. Bookings are required and can be made by phone. Meeting point is the George’s Depot on the Filter Station on Christian Road in Swanson.

Highlights of the tour are views to the far stretching Manukau Harbour, bridges, viaducts and two tunnels. In one of them glow worms are at home. Destination is the impressive water dam. In order to supply a growing city with water in 1900 the Auckland city council instructed the build.

http://www.water.co.nz/watercare/recreation/rain-forest-express/rain-forest-express_home.cfm
Phone: 09 302 8028

Saturday and Sunday train rides vary between picnic, basic and twilight rides. The difference is commencing time and length of time stopped for picnic or BBQ at twilight. Trains that take off at 10 am are off for a picnic, those at 2pm are regular rides, and at 6 pm they include time for a BBQ.

Pick up and drop off point is the Jacobson's Depot at 280 Scenic Drive in Titirangi. About 5km from Titirangi Village at the depot a narrow-gauge railway makes its way past 10 tunnels, and two bridges along the historic tramline to the historic Nihotupu dam. The tramline is still used today for maintenance work on the dam.

The knowledgeable driver of scenic train rides commentates on history of dam and region, flora, and fauna.

www.railfan.org.nz

The Railway Enthusiasts Society Inc. operates at Farm Park Road in Glenbrook, Waiuku, a steam locomotive service. Each Sunday and public holidays from Labour Day to Queen’s Birthday a 12 km drive through rural South Auckland takes place. Trains leave in an hourly interval between 11 am and 4 pm. Exceptions to the departing time are in place on the 13th and 20 December. Then the steam locomotive will leave in sequences of 1 hour and 15 minutes starting at 11 am. Addition to the nostalgic rail tour is a visit to the workshop.

www.mainlinesteam.co.nzAddress: 23 Cheshire St, Parnell, AucklandPhone: 64-9-270 5592

The museum Mainline Steam Parnell Depot holds New Zealand’s largest collection of steam locomotives. Operating hours are from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4 pm.

The trust devoted to restoring and operating steam engines organises long haul scenic train rides.

An explanation on how to use the maps you can find here.


Railway fans will be thrilled to learn more about The Railways of New Zealand: A journey through history. The authors, Geoffrey Churchman and Tony Hurst document the railway development from the first four wheel cars running between Christchurch and Ferrymead. Then in 1863 covering the distance of 7 km. Hi-tech freight operations are running on 3900 km of rails.