This evening I'm in Auckland at the Sudima Hotel close to the city centre with the distinctive Sky Tower looming large above my room window. It's a beautiful hotel but once again it has no desk or chair so I'm standing to bring you this post.
Today we have travelled 229km from Rotorua to Auckland via Pukekohe about an hour's drive south of Auckland to join the Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train that runs 7.5 kms from Tuakau to Waiuku and return. We sat in the Parlour and First Class Cars and were served a tea of buttered Hot Cross Buns, two chocolate Macaroons and a small Easter Egg and a cup of tea of course.
The Glenbrook Steam Railway has an excellent website which tells me that:
"The Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) was founded in 1970 but its story starts in 1914 with the construction of the Waiuku Branch Railway.(KIWI Rail).
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway Charitable Trust Board was established by members of the Railway Enthusiasts Society (many of which were working for New Zealand Railways at the time) to preserve, rebuild, and operate the old Waiuku Branch Railway between Glenbrook and Waiuku. Over the years, this bunch of passionate volunteers fundraised to acquire locomotives and carriages from around the country, as well as cutting back the gorse that had overgrown the railway line using machetes. The fully working railway that is the Glenbrook Vintage Railway you see today is a testament to the vision, dedication, and hard work of these founding members. The mission of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway is not only to maintain and operate our heritage trains over our historic railway line and beyond, but to keep alive and share the skills, stories, and history of the railways that built New Zealand.
Our Railway runs over 7.5km between Glenbrook (our connection with the national rail network) and Victoria Ave (Waiuku). There are three level crossings, at Morley Road, Pukeoware Road, and Cornwall Road. The total trackage including sidings, crossing loops and yards is 10.2km. Intermediate stations include Pukeoware (our main workshop and storage facility) and Fernleigh. There is also a platform at Morley Road."
https://www.gvr.org.nz/about-us
At one of the stations on the return journey we were invited to alight and take photos and videos as the train backed up the line and then came steaming back into the station. I have a magnificent video, including full chuffing and whistle sound effects – Hornby would be proud of me – but I can't attach the video to the post. If you want to know more then please visit the web link above and I'm sure you will find some video to thrill you and fill you with nostalgia.
Courtesy of Screenshot I have attached one photo of the engine in full steam. No sound or 'smelly' vision to aid to the nostalgia!
It's the last full day of the Tour tomorrow and I'm off to Auckland Zoo for the morning. The afternoon is free with a farewell dinner in the evening.
I then have Wednesday in this hotel as well to explore Auckland at my leisure. I fly on Thursday at 3.10pm local time and arrive home at 7.45am on Friday 5th
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