The Plains Railway & Historical Museum

The Plains Railway & Historical Museum Home to 3 historic Steam Locomotives: K88, Ja1260, A64 - Vintage Railcar Rm50 - DSA218 and a Shunter Fleet. Staffed completely by Volunteers.

OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE ASHBURTON RAILWAY & PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC The Plains Railway & Historical Museum was founded by the Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society in 1971 to preserve the Mid-Canterbury regions past. Since then the museum has grown to incorporate a farm, worked by our vintage machinery, a pioneer village and - of course - a vintage railway. It was the railway that brought the museum international recognition, with the restoration of Rogers K 88, which was dug out of a river where it had been buried for 50 years and returned to operational service in 1981. Since then the 'K' has been restored a second time and is now run regularly for Tour Bus companies. Alongside Rogers 'K' 88, which pulled New Zealands first 'express' passenger train between two urban centres, the museum is home to Dubs & Co 'A' 64, New Zealands second oldest operational Steam Locomotive. Also on shed is Hillside, Dunedin built 'Ja' 1260, which hauled New Zealands last steam hauled express and Vulcan Railcar 'RM' 50 - still New Zealands official Rail Speed Record holder.

Privileged to be included in the Ashburton Pakeke Lions rejuvenation project of the Bus Shelter on the main street - a f...
15/09/2026

Privileged to be included in the Ashburton Pakeke Lions rejuvenation project of the Bus Shelter on the main street - a fabulous photo of a superb job!

Had to take this photo with the sun setting. In front, a building we are proud of. Ashburton Pakeke Lions gave this bus shelter a spruce up last year. It looks so good.

13/09/2026

The Bedford prior to being cleaned....

Great to have the first Wedding of our new Season take place on Saturday. K88 provided the main backdrop, and a few Vin...
13/09/2026

Great to have the first Wedding of our new Season take place on Saturday. K88 provided the main backdrop, and a few Vintage Tractors were set out for photo opportunities.
Today, the Printing Works building was closed, with renovation work to the floor to commence shortly. The Bedford, previously owned by the Midland Co-Op Dairy Company has been given a good run today after sitting idle for quite some time.

Last Saturday was particularly busy with preparations for the Father's Day Open Day in full swing - although by the end ...
08/09/2026

Last Saturday was particularly busy with preparations for the Father's Day Open Day in full swing - although by the end of the day, the weather forecast had worsened for Sunday, so a tough decision was made to cancel this. In the workshop, K88 awaited an annual inspection - which began mid-afternoon with a dry boiler inspection. Bryce and his team then began reinstalling the firebars and the ashpan - completed in record time!

We have made the difficult decision to cancel our scheduled operating day tomorrow, Father's Day, due to the predicted w...
05/09/2026

We have made the difficult decision to cancel our scheduled operating day tomorrow, Father's Day, due to the predicted wet, cold weather. Apologies to those intending to visit.

04/09/2026

Diesel power!

Address

20 Maronan Road
Tinwald
7778

Telephone

+6433089600

Website

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