A Gisborne train group needs to raise $800,000 for repairs to a KiwiRail line so its fabled steam locomotive can continue its usual route.
Between October and June, the lovingly restored Wa165 runs charter and public excursions from the port area to Muriwai – a 34km round trip.
But the organisation behind the trips, Gisborne City Vintage Railway group, said repair and maintenance work needed to be completed on sections of the route.
As part of its agreement with KiwiRail for using the line, the cost for that falls on them. The maintenance needed to be undertaken to guarantee the future of the group’s operation beyond the next few years, railway group president Geoff Joyce said.
