About Mainline Steam Heritage Trust

 

Mainline Steam is an organisation devoted to the restoration and operation of historic mainline steam locomotives. Regular day excursions and multi-day tours are operated, by Mainline Steam, over rail lines thoroughout New Zealand. These excursions provide travellers with the unique opportunity to relive the days when steam was king while experiencing the magnificent New Zealand countryside. Excursions are operated by the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch branches. These are well advertised in local newspapers and on the Excursion page of this website. Early bookings are essential for all excursions.

 

Mainline Steam currently has a number of fully restored and mainline certified locomotives. They include: J1211, Jb1236, Ja1275, Ab663, Ka942 and Ba552. See our Locomotive page for more details.

 

Our principal depot is located in Auckland at 23 Cheshire Street, Parnell, where up to twelve steam locomotives are kept, including a GMAM Garratt from South Africa. The depot is usually open Monday to Friday from 9am - 4:30pm and visitors are always welcome. Entry is by donation (usually $5). We welcome school groups who would like to visit our depots. Please telephone to book your visit. This depot makes a great location for commercial film makers and a number of advertisements and scenes from TV shows and movies have been filmed there. Contact us if you are interested in using the facility.

 

The Wellington Depot is located at Plimmerton and regular workdays are held each Saturday. In Christchurch the depot is located in Middleton and because it is located on an industrial site access is restricted. If you are going to be in those areas contact details can be obtained by emailing us.

 

If you want to do more than look at the locomotives you might consider becoming a member and getting some hands on experience at locomotive restoration. New members are always welcome at all our depots and we would be happy to send you out the required application forms or you can download the appropriate form from the Membership page.