Our next excursions will be on
SUNDAY JANUARY 19, 2020
Go to the Excursions Page for details
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Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/waitara.railway/
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OUR STORY -
The Waitara Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1999 with the aim of preserving the 7km long Waitara branch line in North Taranaki. With grants from the Taranaki Electricity Trust, TSB Community Trust and others, the line was purchased from Tranzrail for $360,000, and since 2003 has run regular excursions, using a mixture of former New Zealand Railways locomotives and rolling stock.
Regular excursions are held every first and third Sunday, during daylight savings months (and sometimes in the winter months)
The train ride from Waitara climbs the 1 in 40 Waitara Valley gradient (the steepest on a preserved railway in New Zealand), passes under the SH3 overbridge on Big Jim's Hill, through our depot and yards at Waitara Road, and crosses the picturesque Waiongana Stream. It ends parallel to Kiwirail's Marton-to-New Plymouth line, just short of the old Lepperton rail yards.
- For details go to the 'Excursions' page
Private charters are also available for family, social or work parties
Phone Brian Jury on 027 712 6482 - or email waitararailway@gmail.com
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Some history . . .
The original railway line was opened in 1875, as the first railway in Taranaki, running between Waitara and New Plymouth.
It became disused after the Waitara Freezing Works closed in 1997.
With help from the TET Trust and TSB Community Trust, and members, the line was purchased by the society in 2001 from TranzRail, at a cost of $360,000
In 2003 the Society started carrying fare paying passengers.
In 2004 the former Tahora Station building was relocated at Brixton, Waitara Road.
In 2015, thanks to the generosity of the TSB Community Trust, the bridge over the Waiongana River was re-sleepered
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The original railway line was opened in 1875, as the first railway in Taranaki, running between Waitara and New Plymouth.
It became disused after the Waitara Freezing Works closed in 1997.
With help from the TET Trust and TSB Community Trust, and members, the line was purchased by the society in 2001 from TranzRail, at a cost of $360,000
In 2003 the Society started carrying fare paying passengers.
In 2004 the former Tahora Station building was relocated at Brixton, Waitara Road.
In 2015, thanks to the generosity of the TSB Community Trust, the bridge over the Waiongana River was re-sleepered
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We welcome new members
Come along and see what we do at weekly working bees, at the depot on Waitara Road, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, from 9.30am.
Training is offered to operate trolleys, become a guard or a locomotive driver.
We also have teams working on yard and building restoration and maintenance, gardening work, railway track maintenance etc.
To get to the yard, drive up Waitara Road off the main road and turn right at the level crossing.
(Be mindful that rail vehicles may be operating).
Wish to join? click here for an application form
Come along and see what we do at weekly working bees, at the depot on Waitara Road, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, from 9.30am.
Training is offered to operate trolleys, become a guard or a locomotive driver.
We also have teams working on yard and building restoration and maintenance, gardening work, railway track maintenance etc.
To get to the yard, drive up Waitara Road off the main road and turn right at the level crossing.
(Be mindful that rail vehicles may be operating).
Wish to join? click here for an application form
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The Future . . .
Current projects are the restoration of a DSA class locomotive, and the extension of our line into the former Lepperton railway yard, to provide a destination and run-around capability for our excursions.
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