Rail Royalty Has Returned - Kingston Flyer Back On Track
Rail royalty has returned to the tracks at Kingston with the re-introduction of a much-loved heritage gem, The Kingston Flyer vintage steam train, to the list of popular local tourist attractions.
It’s been all go since a group of passionate historic steam train enthusiasts and investors launched the beautifully-restored old girl back onto the Kingston to Fairlight run in September this year.
Originally a freight and passenger express train between Kingston, Gore and Invercargill, and less frequently, Dunedin, the beautiful old steam train was operated by New Zealand Railways (NZR) from the 1890s to 1957.
The train’s been through a number of owners throughout its history, which dates back to the 1870s. The railway line opened in 1878 to service access to Queenstown with passengers travelling by steam train to Kingston, then usually boarding the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw to travel on Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown.
After the Devil’s Staircase Road was opened in 1936 patronage on the train declined sharply, but the old train continued to operate as required during peak holiday periods until its final passenger service run in 1957.
The steam train service was revitalised by NZR in 1971, operating as a tourist venture, later leasing the locomotives and rolling stock to a private company in 1982. Since then the old train has been through a number of owners. Most recently the group of volunteers has restored the railway, rolling stock, and historic locomotives to service, and restored the 14kms of track from Kingston to Fairlight, re-launching Sunday tourist trips to the delight of train lovers.
It’s been a long process getting to this point since The Kingston Flyer and all associated land and buildings were sold to a local consortium of train enthusiasts and investors in 2017. They want the train to remain in Kingston and thrive as a heritage piece that New Zealand can be proud of. Commercially-run public train rides returned on September 18 this year (2022) from Kingston to Fairlight.
Sales and marketing manager Abbey Edtmaier says the 2022 opening season has been used as a ‘soft opening’ run mainly by passionate volunteers and the new ownership group is taking it one season at a time to find their feet as demand increases.
At this stage, public train tours will be operating most Sundays all year round during 2023, with the ability to add on extra runs as needed. These leave the Kingston Station twice at 10.30am and 2pm, and are designed for everyday families, locals and tourists, who’re looking for a short, enjoyable trip. The train seats 130 comfortably.
Each 90-minute trip showcases the mighty AB795 steam engine, all of the Kingston Flyer’s currently renovated wooden carriages, and the recently renovated Fairlight Train Station where there’s a short stop to watch the steam engine turn around on the triangle – a must see, says Abbey.
“The kids especially love racing next to the steam engine on the lawn at Fairlight as the engine travels down the rail corridor to hook up to the other end of the train,” she says.
The tiny Fairlight Train Station was originally built as the Otautau Railway Station, and was relocated to Fairlight in 1996. The new owners renovated it with the help of local builders MacGregor Brothers Ltd. It will eventually open back up to the general public at weekends.
The train’s also now available for private hire as a wonderful venue for large groups and special events. There are four fully-restored vintage wooden carriages, each with its own unique lay-out and design, the popular bird cage carriage, a first-class car-van, and a second class car. While the buffet car, which used to serve hot tea and coffee, is only ornamental at this stage the Kingston Flyer Café & Bar – a separate operation under new ownership on the Kingston foreshore, offers great bistro-style meals. Passengers are free to move around the beautiful old carriages and soak up yester-year.
