Feilding and District Steam Rail Society are planning an excursion on November 23.
Feilding and District Steam Rail Society is back on track after a 16-month hiatus.
It’s planning one of it’s famous excursions, this time a day trip taking in sights like the Raurimu Spiral and the Central Volcanic Plateau.
Senior excursion manager Leanne Wallace said the society was looking forward to catching up with our loyal passengers after a lengthy break.
“We are very excited to be taking Kiwi Rail’s new Capital Connection on its first excursion north to Taumarunui next month,” she said.
“Our on board staff have been waiting for this for a long time and we have missed seeing our regular passengers and supporters.”
There have been a few hurdles to jump over to engage the Capital Connection. The new train is higher than the previous one, which meant a change to some stopping points.
They could accommodate as many as 283 passengers. Any profit went towards the “getting our steam locomotive back on the tracks again”.
The society, run by volunteers, recently celebrated the Steam Loco WAB794 passing its hydraulic boiler test the team are ready to start the re-assembly of boiler components.
“Our excursions are the fun in the fundraising to enable our teams to continue the work required on the carriage and engine stock.
The society often gets together and organises yard activities and regular jigger rides at the yard in Feilding.
The next excursion is planned for November 23.
The co-op has posted a $14.3 million net loss after tax for the year ended June 2024.