Crowds turn up at Paekakariki Station for a day of steam and nostalgia

By Anthony Dreaver

Paekakariki railway station was bustling for the Sunday celebration for 150 years of NZ Railway history.

As well as the usual trains, a Steam Incorporated historic locomotive and vintage diesel loco hauled the old red carriages on three return journeys between Paekakariki and  Wellington, carrying several hundred passengers.

 

Between runs, passengers explored the signal box and inspected the museum’s colourful displays to the sound of films, birdsong and the popular model train.

Organisers for both Steam Incorporated and Paekakariki Station Museum were delighted with the public response to the event, which celebrated the time, 150 years ago, when New Zealand’s first scheduled train service began from Christchurch to Ferrymead.