Bay Express
19th September 2026
Experience a classic day out by rail with Mainline Steam aboard the Bay Express – Blossom Festival Special, a full-day return journey to the Hastings Blossom Festival in the heart of Hawkes Bay.
Travel behind beautifully restored heritage locomotives and carriages as we journey north from the Kapiti Coast, through the Manawatū and into the scenic ranges of southern Hawkes Bay. This is a rare opportunity to relive the golden era of rail travel while enjoying modern comfort and service on board.
Settle into your seat and take in ever-changing views of rolling farmland, rivers, and classic rural towns. Our on-board café carriage will be open throughout the journey, offering a range of food, hot and cold drinks, and bar service, with EFTPOS and contactless payments available.
Arriving into Hastings late morning, you’ll have several hours to explore the Blossom Festival — a vibrant celebration of spring featuring blossoms, markets, entertainment, and local hospitality. In the afternoon, rejoin the train for a relaxed return journey home.
Itinerary
Timetable (Approximate)
Morning – Northbound to Hastings
Plimmerton depart – 5:25am
Paraparaumu depart – 5:55am
Ōtaki depart – 6:30am
Levin depart – 7:00am
Palmerston North depart – 8:10am
Woodville depart – 8:55am
Hastings arrive – 11:55am
On arrival into Hastings, passengers transfer by coach to the Blossom Festival.
Afternoon – Return Journey
Hastings depart – 3:00pm
Woodville depart – 5:50pm
Palmerston North depart – 6:50pm
Levin depart – 7:45pm
Ōtaki depart – 8:10pm
Paraparaumu depart – 8:40pm
Plimmerton arrive – 9:10pm