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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 mix of former New Zealand Railways locomotives and rolling stock.
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 in the old Lepperton Yard next to Kiwirail's Marton-to-New Plymouth line.
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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.
In 2020 an extension to the Lepperton end of our track was built to enable a connection to the old Lepperton Yard.
On January 2, 2022, our newly-restored locomotive Portland 11 made its first public run after achieving safety certification.
In March 2022, the former Waitotara Station was relocated to our Brixton depot for restoration.
In April 2023 we replaced our open viewing wagon with a new, larger wagon
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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 Tuesdays, from 9.30am until 3pm.
Training is offered to operate trolleys, become a guard or a locomotive driver.
We also have teams working on rolling stock restoration, yard and building restoration and maintenance, gardening work, railway track maintenance etc.
To get to the yard, drive up Waitara Road off SH3 at Brixton, and turn right at the level crossing.
(Be mindful that rail vehicles may be operating).
Wish to join? - click online_membership_appn__v4.pdf for an application form
Come along and see what we do at weekly working bees, at the depot on Waitara Road, on Saturdays and Tuesdays, from 9.30am until 3pm.
Training is offered to operate trolleys, become a guard or a locomotive driver.
We also have teams working on rolling stock restoration, yard and building restoration and maintenance, gardening work, railway track maintenance etc.
To get to the yard, drive up Waitara Road off SH3 at Brixton, and turn right at the level crossing.
(Be mindful that rail vehicles may be operating).
Wish to join? - click online_membership_appn__v4.pdf for an application form
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The Future . . .
Our current projects are the restoration of the former Waitotara Station building, including an extension to the existing station platform, and corrosion repairs to guard's van F726
