Tot Town Train bringing joy to holidaymakers for generations

For more than half a century Whanganui's Tot Town Train at Kowhai Park has given joy to generations of holiday goers.

And that's all thanks to the Wanganui Lions Club who established the landmark in 1963 and whose members have volunteered their time to keep it running.

Wanganui Lions Club train chairman Peter Wells said the train was put together by the workers at the then Railway Workshops Aramoho Plant Zone.

"Believe it or not but the whole railway was completed for a total cost of 10 shillings, which is about $1 in today's currency."

The rails and sleepers were donated by a local business and the labour was all voluntary.

On the first day of construction 50 Lions and another 50 members of the public turned up with shovels and spades to level the ground.

Mr Wells said parents and grandparents brought their tots for a ride on the train because that's what they did when they were little.

Parents who rode the train when they were young, bring back their children for a ride. Photo/ Bevan Conley

"It's funny the young ones are screaming scared to get on and then they are screaming at the end of the ride because they don't want to get off."

He said this summer season had been very good, especially compared to last year when there wasn't much of a summer.

"The number of rides sold per day peak between 150 to just over 200. In the winter time we usually get 40-50 rides a day."

In 2007 the old train was beginning to get a little tired and a new one, costing $100,000, was donated by Powerco Trust and made especially in Auckland.

The old train still makes the odd appearance for special occasions such as Whanganui's Vintage weekend.

Wanganui Lions Club chair of the train committee, Peter Wells, with the 'old girl'. Photo/ Bevan Conley.

There are 22 drivers from the Lions club who alternate shifts to stay open every weekend and holiday from 1pm to 3pm.

The train generates more than $10,000 over the summer school holidays each year. That money is used to add new features to Kowhai Park and donate to many local youth causes.

Quick facts about the Tot Town Train:

- It travels at 14km/h

- The new train takes 1 minute and 11 seconds to do one loop of the Kowhai Park track, the old one only took 1 minute and 8 seconds

- Whanganui's Tot Town Train has been operating for 54 years

- The old train carried 21 people, the new one carries up to 30 people.