Gisborne City Vintage Railway, Heritage railway attraction in Gisborne, New Zealand.
Gisborne City Vintage Railway is a preservation group founded in 1985 that runs the steam locomotive WA 165, built at NZR's Hillside Workshops in 1897, on excursions from Gisborne south to Muriwai, about 17 km. The train uses part of the mothballed Palmerston North–Gisborne Line, and trips run mainly from October to June.
The railway line opened in the late 1800s as a vital freight and passenger route serving the Gisborne region. This connection was crucial for moving agricultural products from inland farms to coastal ports and markets.
The locomotive WA 165 was the first built at NZR's Hillside Workshops in 1897, and volunteers began restoring it in 1986; it returned to steam in October 2000. Excursions run mainly from October to June, and the group's president Geoff Joyce presented the 2013 business case for leasing the line to the Gisborne District Council.
Tickets are available for purchase at the station, with options ranging from regular excursions to special themed rides throughout the year. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing for the journey.
The collection is maintained entirely by volunteers who restore and operate both steam and diesel locomotives from different eras. This hands-on approach keeps rail heritage alive through dedicated community involvement.
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