Nelson Railway Society

The Nelson Railway Society is a group that preserves and operates historical trains and railway equipment on the Founders Heritage Park grounds. The site displays restored carriages, working locomotives, and authentic station buildings from different time periods.

The group was founded in the 1980s as the Grand Tapawera Railroad Company and moved its operations to Founders Heritage Park in 1991. This relocation allowed for growth and better preservation of the collection.

The station buildings on the grounds come from different historical railway stops in the region and show how train travel was once organized. Visitors see original structures that provide a window into railway-era architecture.

Visitors can explore the grounds during operating hours and take train rides when these are offered. It helps to check ahead on which days rides are available, as this varies by season and volunteer availability.

The group preserves a WF class steam locomotive from 1907 that cannot run on the park's tracks because of its six driving axles. This engine is a rare example of a specialized locomotive that was mainly used on flatter routes in other regions.