Whistle-stop tours to Ohakune

Long before it became a ski town or the capital of carrot country, Ohakune was a train town, a major depot on the Main Trunk Line between Auckland and Wellington in the days of steam locomotives.

The town will again resound to locomotive steam whistles at Queen's Birthday weekend when the Mainline Steam Trust runs three-day excursions from Auckland and Wellington.

The J-class locomotive, J1236, built in 1939 and last run in 1972, will get up steam after a 10-year restoration to travel from Auckland. The Wellington locomotive is J1211 that enthusiasts have been running for 12 years. The two trains will meet in Ohakune and the excursion includes steaming to Taumarunui and climbing the Raurimu Spiral. The price, including accommodation and meals, is $395.

Contact: ph (09) 489 8360, 0800 462978.