Age of the train returns to Taranaki for one day only
The age of the passenger train made a return to Taranaki yesterday – but for one day only.
Just under 300 passengers boarded the Taranaki Mountaineer service from New Plymouth to Ha¯ wera and back.
Hillary Knowles and Mark Casey were among them.
‘‘We like a train ride,’’ Knowles said. ‘‘And this was a good one.
‘‘We’ve had a good day in Ha¯ wera. They put on a good show down there.
‘‘I lived in England for a little bit,’’ she added. ‘‘It’s just a great way to get around, and you can see the world from a completely different angle and see people’s backyards.’’
The couple said they would welcome a return of rail travel between New Plymouth and Wellington.
‘‘Much better than flying,’’ Knowles said.
The service, put on by the Auckland-based Glenbrook Vintage Railway Charitable Trust, set off from the site of the old New Plymouth railway station, near Puke Ariki, at 10am, and was scheduled to arrive in Ha¯wera about 90 minutes later.
Passengers had a bit of time to explore the town before boarding for the return journey, arriving back in New Plymouth at 3pm.
Train manager Sean Heenan said it had been a wonderful day and tickets had sold out.
Also on the train were Anna Playle, and her daughter Carly, of Stratford, who had been on board with other family members, including Anna’s parents.
‘‘It was great – you don’t often get to do it,’’ Anna said.
Daughter Carly had loved the railway experience, she added, ‘‘although she did have a sleep on the way back’’.