Welcome South Canterbury's award-winning railway!
Important coronavirus update: Easter running cancelled.
Like many operators around New Zealand, we’re keeping a close eye on the pandemic situation that’s playing out. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the situation, we've decided to cancel the upcoming "Kiwi The Engine & Friends" running days.
On a day-to-day basis, we’re taking an even harder look at what role we can play to keep everybody safe and at the moment that is focusing on encouraging good hygiene, following recommendations from the Ministry of Health, and working with the DHB. Unfortunately, given this is an ever-changing situation, we made the decision to cancel April's running days to ensure we are playing out part to "flatten the peak" - preventing the risk of transmission to other people, even though no cases of coronavirus have been recorded in South Canterbury.
While we are in uncharted waters, we want everyone to follow the basic steps that can help protect not only you, but the people around you too: wash your hands for 20 seconds, and staying at home if you are sick.
- From your volunteers at Pleasant Point Museum and Railway.
We run 2km along the formation of the former Fairlie Branch Line, using locomotives, carriages, and a railcar that a small army of volunteers keep in top order. Throughout the year you will hear a whistle or a horn as trainloads of passengers from around the world ride the rails at Pleasant Point, a picturesque spot between the mountains and the sea.
If you're not from the area and don't know where to find us you can pinpoint us here. And if your visit doesn't co-incide with a running day you can arrange a special visit, or simply drop by most Saturdays or Wednesdays, when the team are on site.
People from around the world have made their way to Pleasant Point to ride the train. They include visitors from Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Holland, China, the UK, Germany, Canada & Israel.
Ab699, dressed as Ab718, leaves Pleasant Point station on September 23, 2018, its first day of running in five years. It had undergone an extensive survey and maintenance project undertaken by members, with help from generous businesses around Canterbury. Photo: John Bisset/The Timaru Herald
This website has been supported by National Services Te Paerangi, Te Papa