Mainline Steam Heritage Trust

07/06/2026

🚂 TWO Epic Spring Rail Adventures, ONE Unforgettable Season! 🌸

Looking for the ultimate day out or the perfect gift? This September, step back in time and experience the magic of mainline steam from our beautiful premium carriages. Whether you want to treat Dad for Father’s Day weekend or celebrate the arrival of spring, we have two spectacular day trips lined up for you!

🍻 TRIP 1: The Tui Express
📅 Sunday, 6 September
📍 Departure Stations: Plimmerton (07:50am), Paraparaumu, Ōtaki, Levin, and Palmerston North, heading straight to Mangatainoka.

Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a premier rail experience to the iconic Tui Brewery!

Experience exclusive, rail-only views of the rugged Manawatū Gorge. With the old highway permanently closed, our open-air viewing platform offers a front row seat to this natural wonder, its dramatic river, and historic tunnels. Throughout the trip, our onboard licensed café carriage will be open for you to purchase a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments, hot espresso coffees, and sweet treats.

Pull straight into Mangatainoka Station for a short stroll or a free transfer bus to the world famous Tui Brewery. Relax in the historic grounds and dig into a hearty, freshly prepared BBQ buffet lunch, along with a complimentary beverage which is fully included right in your ticket price! Prefer to sort your own food on the day? You can easily opt out of the lunch package at checkout for a ticket discount.

👉 Book Tickets for The Tui Express Here: https://tinyurl.com/bdu6e898

🌸 TRIP 2: The Bay Express
📅 Saturday, 19 September
📍 Departure Stations: Plimmerton (early 5:25am departure), Paraparaumu, Ōtaki, Levin, Palmerston North, and Woodville, heading straight to Hastings.

Welcome the spring season in style with a magnificent full-day rail journey to sunny Hawke's Bay!

Sit back and relax as our majestic steam locomotive winds through changing landscapes. Head out to the open-air viewing platform to feel the fresh spring breeze, capture incredible photos, and listen to the thunderous echo of the engine. Our onboard licensed café carriage will also be open throughout the journey, selling refreshments, hot espresso coffees, and snacks right from the rails.

Step right off the train and straight into the vibrant heart of the annual Hastings Blossom Festival. Spend a fantastic afternoon exploring the famous public parade, live entertainment, market stalls, and beautiful spring blooms celebrating the region's orchard heritage.

👉 Book Tickets for The Bay Express Here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxy3r8a

🚨 SEATS ARE STRICTLY LIMITED! 🚨
Our premium carriages fill up incredibly fast. Don't miss out on creating unforgettable memories on the rails this September.

31/05/2026

Well done to the Plimmerton Team

31/05/2026

A few photos of the Bagnall at the Western Springs Railway, MOTAT, on the 30th May.

30/05/2026

On Saturday 30th May 2026 Mainline Steam's Bagnall locomotive joined the Western Springs Railway's other locomotives at a special event for delegates from the FRONZ conference. Here's a short video by Michael Tolich showing the Bagnall in action.

Mainline Steam's Bagnall in operation at the Western Springs Railwa...

28/05/2026

🚂 NEW ARRIVAL: Mainline Steam Welcomes TR897!

We’ve got some exciting news to share! The Mainline Steam Heritage Trust fleet has just grown by one with the official purchase of TR897! 🥳👇

This classic 0-4-0 diesel hydraulic shunter has a fantastic history on New Zealand's rails. Built right here in NZ at the iconic NZR Hillside workshops back in 1974, this tough little workhorse has spent over half a century keeping things moving! Most recently, she was based out of Palmerston North doing light shunting duties.

Here is a quick look at the specs for our fellow rail fans:

⚙️ The Quick Specs:
Engine: Gardner 6-cylinder, in-line diesel (150 BHP)
Transmission: Rolls Royce 3-stage torque converter
Weight: 20.4 tonnes
Brakes: Upgraded with an automatic brake system, allowing her to safely "shunt with air" when handling heavier rolling stock.

What’s next? 🛠️
Now that she’s joined the family, TR897 is going to be incredibly useful behind the scenes, helping us shift, organise, and manage our heritage rolling stock.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped make this acquisition happen!

22/05/2026

Friday Flashback on a Saturday: On the 26th September 2005 an open day was held at the new Britomart, now Waitemata, station prior to its full opening. Our Bagnall was a guest of honour for the day. At the time we suggested to AT that they also display some of their trains but they felt it wasn't really worth it as they didn't really think there would be that many turn up. As you can see from the photos they badly underestimated. The queues to get in stretched around the block all day.

16/05/2026

Excellent progress continues to be made on the restoration of Kb968’s tender, with the bunker now coated in its final gloss black finish. This is a significant milestone in the restoration, with the tender now beginning to regain its original appearance.

Work will now move onto the tender frame, which is next in line for preparation and painting. Once completed, this will finish the painting on the tender and mark another important achievement in the ongoing restoration of Kb968.

15/05/2026

Friday Flashback:
On the 9th March 2013 a number of our visiting Christchurch team and our Auckland team came together at Glenbrook Vintage Railway to operate our Ja1240 on the line. It was an excellent day out thanks to our GVR hosts.

07/05/2026

OK everyone… it’s your turn to help plan our 2027 excursion calendar! 👀✨

If you could send our trains ANYWHERE in New Zealand, where would you choose?

🏔️ More mountain adventures?🌊 Coastal escapes?🍷 Winery and brewery trips?🏘️ Charming small town station stops?❄️ Another Ruapehu Mountaineer through the snow-filled Central Plateau?

Tell us your dream destinations, favourite past excursions, or places you’ve always wanted to visit by rail 👇

Who knows… your idea might just make it onto the 2027 calendar