Excursions

Welcome to the Mainline Steam 2010, Calendar page. Not only will we be adding advance notices of excursions to this page, but also events for the members of Mainline Steam. Check back often to see what is happening.
 
 

  
Operations update as per 2nd February 2010.
We have a number of exciting excursions available below that are open for booking and more on the way. Bookings are essential so make sure you get yours in ASAP.

There are seats available on all advertised excursions.      Bookings are essential.

Coming in 2010.

Arthurs Pass Excursions. First weekend of June, July, August. Second weekend of September.

Fieldays: Auckland to Hamilton for the agricultural Fieldays. June 19th.

+ more still to come. 

 


2010 EXCURSIONS. 

Kiwi Festival - Bay of Plenty 27th February - 7th March
Mainline Steam is delighted to be associated with the Kiwi Festival to be held in Tauranga. See the website for full details. As part of the Festival there will be a number of steam hauled excursions behind Ja1275, including a trip from Auckland to get the train to the area. A full list of the options and prices are available here.

For telephone bookings or inquiries call 07 578 8103 or email here.

These excursions will be a great chance to spend some time in the beautiful Bay of Plenty so make sure you get your bookings in early. The train from Auckland will depart from the Strand station and you can find a map here.


Waipara Wanderer 10th April 2010.

Mainline Steam and the Weka Pass Railway have joined forces to bring you this unique opportunity to travel on two steam excursions for the price of one.

 

Travel from Christchurch through the scenic beauty of the Main North Line to the wine producing area of Waipara behind Mainline Steams Ab663. Relax in the comfort of the Tranz Scenic carriages as the scenery slides past your window. There will be a buffet car where you can purchase light refreshments. On arrival the train will depart the mainline and enter the Weka Pass Railway where Ab663 will be joined by A428. Both locomotives will then haul the train to Waikari through the Weka Pass with stops along the way for opportunities to photograph these historic locomotives from line side.

 

On arrival at Waikari there will be ample time to enjoy your picnic as you watch the locomotives being turned or to visit the classic Star and Garter country pub.

 

The train will depart Christchurch at 10:30am and return at 6:45pm. You can also join the train at Rangiora at 11:00am.

 

Don’t miss this chance to ride behind and experience these two classic steam locomotives at work. Seats are strictly limited so make sure you secure yours now.

Telephone 0800462978 to book or fill out this form and return by mail to:

Mainline Steam, c/o 2 McEntee Road, Waitakere, Auckland 0614.

Email inquiries here.

 

Fares:

Adults $115, Children (2yo -14yo) $90, Family (2A-2C) $369.

The fares include the return train trip from Christchurch and the double headed trip on the Weka Pass Railway.

Bookings are essential. Booking form and details are available here.

 

Main Trunk Trekker. July 31st.

Join Mainline Steam on this fantastic journey to the volcanic heart of the Central North Island. Travel behind

The Strand
0500
Papatoetoe 0528 0530
Papakura 0545 0548
Pukekohe 0608 0610
Te Kauwhata 0650 0654
Hamilton 0740 0800



Taumarunui 1125 1225
National Park 1340  
National Park   1440
Taumarunui 1645 1825
Hamilton 2055 2125
Pukekohe 2257 2300
Papakura 2322 2324
Papatoetoe 2341 2343
The Strand 0005

Ja1275 and relax as you enjoy the ever changing scene outside your window. Marvel at the sight of this great locomotive hauling its train up the world famous Raurimu Spiral to our destination at National Park. Here you will be transferred to waiting buses for the short journey to The Grand Chateau for a sumptuous meal in historic splendour. If you don’t wish to partake of the meal you can take the train fare only option. The train is equipped with a buffet car serving light refreshments and there will be a stop at Taumarunui in both directions. Because of space limitations the lunch option is restricted to the first 210 bookings.

Fares: A booking form is available here. Call 0800 462 978 or 09 810 9567 for inquiries.

From Auckland

From Hamilton

Train only $190


Train only $180

Train and Meal $230

Train and Meal $199



 

 

 

 

 

Email Inquiries Here.


Midland Mountaineer September 4th and 5th.

Join Mainline Steam for this great weekend adventure. Travel from Christchurch to Greymouth on Saturday 4th. Stay overnight and return on Sunday 5th. Accommodation in Greymouth is the historic Kingsgate Hotel. On Saturday evening there will be a sumptuous buffet dinner and a chance for an enjoyable evening with all your fellow passengers. Our journey to and from Greymouth will be behind steam locomotive Jb1236 and takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand as our train crosses high viaducts and clings to the mountainside high above turquoise rivers. There is a chance there may still be snow on the mountains. Places are strictly limited so don’t delay in booking. Call 0800 462-978 today to secure your seat.

4/09/09

 

 Arr

Dep

Saturday

Christchurch

 

1010

 

Rolleston

 

1025

 

Springfield

 

1132

 

Staircase

 

1151

 

Craigieburn

 

1234

 

Cora Lynn

1300

1327

 

Arthurs Pass

1345

1430

 

Otira

1450

1550

 

Jackson

1610

1625

 

Stillwater

 

1730

 

Greymouth

1800

 

                                                        Fares:

5/09/09

 

Arr

Dep

Sunday

Greymouth

 

0910

 

Stillwater

 

0940

 

Kokiri

0954

1011

 

Jackson

 

1128

 

Otira

1204

1422

 

Arthurs Pass

1456

1530

 

Cora Lynn

 

1625

 

Cass

1640

1700

 

Springfield

 

1758

 

Rolleston

 

1840

 

Christchurch

1905

1915

Full package – Train, accommodation, dinner and breakfast.

Adult (Share Twin*) $399 per person.

*Please note MLS does not arrange for people traveling on their own to share a room with another passenger.

Adult (Single) $479 per person.


Train Only:

Adult Return Christchurch – Greymouth – Christchurch. $299 per person.

Adult 1 way. Christchurch to Greymouth or Greymouth to Christchurch. $199 per person.

 

A booking form is available here.


New Zealand Steam Tour October 8th - 27th 2010.
This is a huge tour. 5 different steam locomotives. Fantastic scenery. Rare mileage. Off train sightseeing. Ability to chase the train by road, over certain lines. Excellent accommodation. Friendly people. Private train.

Travel with us from Whangarei to Westport, and lots of paces in between, behind our beautifully restored steam locomotives. Sit back and relax as the wild and wonderful New Zealand scenery rolls past your window. There will be photo runs in some scenic locations, many that are not accessible by road. Stops in some of New Zealand's most beautiful cities this tour is more than just a train trip. You will have a chance for you to soak up some Maori culture and see the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. Visit the remote and starkly beautiful West Coast of the South Island. Travel over the rugged beauty of the Napier to Gisborne line. Visit the Art Deco city of Napier and the Garden City of Christchurch. Travel down the stunning Marlborough Sounds on the InterIslander Rail Ferry. Take a look at the full itinerary here. A booking form and pricing is available here.

Following a number of inquiries you can now book a train only fare. This is exactly what it says. A seat on the train. It does not include any transfers, accommodation, meals or off train sightseeing. Please download the booking form for full details.

The locomotives we intend to use: Ja1275, Ab663, J1211, Ka942, Jb1236. No other tour can match this variety of mainline steam power.

If you have any questions please feel free to email for more information. You can also phone ++64 9 810 9567.


   

Booking Details for all excursions can be obtained from:
Mainline Steam:
  2 McEntee Road, Waitakere, Auckland, 0614, New Zealand.
Telephone: (09) 810 9567.
All excursions must be pre-booked.

Contact Details:
Mainline Steam
c/o 2 McEntee Road
Waitakere
Auckland 0614
New Zealand

Telephone: (09) 810 9567