SteamRail Wanganui Inc.

SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated was formed in 1989 with the main purpose of preserving the Wanganui Turntable and any future Railway memorabilia. Until the

Until the late 1980’s Wanganui was a large employer of Railway personnel, with the East Town Workshops, Plant Zone at Aramoho, the Railway Station, the Goods Sheds, and the Locomotive Depot all in Taupo Quay, with a Training School in the later years. Many apprentices were put through these facilities along with a large variety of trades. Most of this, unfortunately, has all but gone today and so

SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated wants to continue, along with many other groups around New Zealand, to keep some form of Railway Heritage alive. The Wanganui Turntable was destined to be totally dismantled for scrap and so over a period of three years, with the assistance of Steam Incorporated and FRONZ, we managed to restore this Turntable back into working condition. After many long hours scraping the paint, replacing rusted cross members, replacing rivets and bolts and a complete new decking, this Turntable was ready for its first Locomotive to be turned. After various tests and the all clear from the then NZ Railways, the Wanganui Turntable was recommissioned and the first Official Locomotive was Ka 945 from Steam Incorporated of Wellington to be turned. Today this Turntable is used regularly for the turning of Locomotives and any visiting excursion train that comes into the Wanganui Yard. Unfortunately most of the buildings have since gone with the exception of the Wanganui Goods Shed, a smaller building at Aramoho, part of the East Town Workshops and the East Town shunting yard building. SteamRail Wanganui has also managed to salvage the Signal Box off the Aramoho Railway Station (since demolished) and the North End Signal Box that was situated near Kempthorne Prosser Fertiliser Works. Both of these buildings are now situated in the yard, along with the rolling stock that SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated has acquired over the years. We have three locos in our collection, a steam crane, an 1894 built passenger car, a guards van and other rolling stock, some of which is now housed in the old goods leanto in Taupo Quay Rail Yard that we now own and have closed in to form a storage shed/ workshop. Wanganui in itself is steeped with railway history apart from what has already been mentioned, but also it ran its own private railway out to the wharf at Castlecliff (which was taken over by the New Zealand Railways in 1955), a distance of 5½ miles (8.8 km). This serviced a vast amount of commercial businesses including the freezing works within the last few years. This line was extended on a temporary basis when a ship called the Port Bowen ran aground on the North Beach many years ago and has also had various stations along its route for the pick up and discharge of passengers, workers or those coming into the City to do their shopping or going to the Hospital. Part of this line is still in use today by KiwiRail. SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated would be very keen to retain this line (if for some reason KiwiRail should decide to close it) because of the heritage it has created over the years. Along with its proposed settlement, Railway Station and Turntable the group feels it will have a lot to offer future tourism and still retain the history of Railway in Wanganui for many generations to come. The group occasionally runs charter day trips to various destinations as its major fundraiser, but also to give folk the chance to travel by rail or to reminisce the past years. We now also have the occasional open day to the public which include Motor Trolley (Jigger) rides in the yard and our locos and rolling stock on display. We can also been seen displaying some of our smaller railway memorabilia at Wanganui Model Railway & Engineering Society Hobby Shows. SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated are keen to hear from anyone who has either been a part of the Railway scene or has an interest in Railways. If you would like to share either your knowledge or just become a supporter, the group
would like to hear from you.

05/06/2026

Today SRW are teaming up with PS Waimarie to have a whistle battle under the Aramoho railway bridge at 12.15
Our weapons of choice are a NZR 5 chime and a modified NZR Ho**er.
It's shaping up to be a good day for a ride on the boat.
She sails at 11.00
Don't miss out.

29/05/2026

We are offering Railway Motor Trolley rides along a siding behind the 'Team Global Express' building at 151 Taupo Quay on Sunday the 31st of May 2026.

It is only $3 a ride per person, or a family ticket is $10 (2 Adults + 2 Children). We will be operating the trolleys from 10.00am to 3.00pm. (Sorry, but we dont have EFTPOS on site). Our heritage railway collection & shed will be open for display as well. Come and meet 'Skunk' of 1875 which is New Zealands oldest home-built locomotive!

Take care when entering the railyard and always look both ways before walking across the tracks! Off street parking is available, please follow the signs. Be aware of moving trucks & forklifts nearby.

A railway motor trolley (or Jigger) is a small, self-propelled rail vehicle that used to be used by maintenance crews for inspecting tracks, transporting materials, and undertaking site access to places where there were no roads.

Skunk was built by E. W. Mills at the Lion Foundry in Wellington in 1875. It was put to work on the Foxton - Palmerston North Railway. In 1910, Skunk was purchased by the Wanganui Habour Board for use on the South Mole construction. It was uncovered from the sand in 2025.

26/05/2026

16/03/2026

Sorry to the driving teams from Rural Games. You did a stellar job in Palmy, but you have about 30 seconds to have a drink and a sit down before we gear up for Steam Fair. 5 days to go!

-This is a CASH ONLY event
-If you wish to steer an engine, you will need covered shoes. Sneakers are fine, crocs are not. Remember it is $5 per person to steer an engine, payment at the gate or at the BBQ tent.
-Friendly dogs are welcome on leash, however these machines are loud and can be scary to a dog who is not used to the noise, sights and smells of the engines.
-Parking will be limited on-site, as our neighbours have recently regrassed, and we aren't able to borrow their paddock this year. You are welcome to park on the side of the road and walk up to the gate. Disability parking will be made available on-site for those with a mobility parking permit
-Please make your nominations for the People's Choice Award. This year there are three categories; People's Choice Miniature Engine, People's Choice Full Sized Engine and People's Choice Machine/Vehice/Model Display. Nomination forms will be given at the gate and extras available at the BBQ. One voting form per person

Please do come and hang out with us this weekend. Spend a couple of hours or make a day of it, bring a picnic lunch or buy lunch from our BBQ team and awesome coffee van mates, Berries and Beans. It is definitely more fun to share our giant toys and machines with friends.

The Great Manawatu Steam Fair, this weekend, 21 and 22 March, 10am-4pm

03/03/2026

🔴EVENT🔴

Mark it in your calenders.
Tell your friends, family, the neighbours, even the dog.

The Great Manawatu Steam Fair is back again for 2026 and we want all of you to come hang out at our place!

If you have vintage vehicles or machinery you'd like to display, we have details coming soon for you.

But for now, MARK IT IN YOUR CALENDARS!!

17/01/2026

We are offering Railway Motor Trolley rides along a siding within the yard limits at the 'Wanganui Freight Center' at 151 Taupo Quay today, the 19th of January, Wellington Anniversary Day.

It is only $3 a ride per person, or a family ticket is $10 (2 Adults + 2 Children). We will be operating the trolleys from 10.00am to 3.00pm. (Sorry, but we dont have EFTPOS on site). Our heritage railway collection & shed will be open for display as well. Come and meet 'Skunk' of 1875 which is New Zealands oldest home-built locomotive!

Take care when entering the railyard and always look both ways before walking across the tracks! Off street parking is available, please follow the signs.

A railway motor trolley (or Jigger) is a small, self-propelled rail vehicle that used to be used by maintenance crews for inspecting tracks, transporting materials, and undertaking site access to places where there were no roads.

Whanganui Vintage Weekend

Photos from SteamRail Wanganui Inc.'s post

31/12/2025

A number of events coming up over the next 3 months.

26/12/2025

It is with great sadness we have been advised that John Pudsey has passed away on 22 December aged 89 years, and just 9 days after the passing of his beloved wife Maggie.

Having spent his early years with NZ Railways at both Eastown Workshops and Whanganui locomotive depot he later moved into heavy general engineering at Kinleith and Tauranga, working with pulp & paper, fertilizer production and marine engineering to name a few.

From his work in these fields he became very interested in steam engines and Railways as a hobby.
He was a foundation member of the Steam Traction Society assisting with the recovery of RSJ Traction engine 24090 from Rangiwahia in 1963 and has remained involved on and off with this Society over the decades.
Over the years he was also very involved with the L class steam loco and Traction engine that were at the Tauranga Historic Village, and the Peckett loco at Goldfields Railway in Waihi.
In recent years he was involved regularly at SteamRail Wanganui until only a few weeks ago.
John was also very talented at hand building model steam locomotives, and was involved with various model engineering clubs over the decades.

Our sincerest condolences to all of John's family at this sad time, he and his fascinating stories will be greatly missed by us all.

Details for John's Service;
Friends are all welcome to attend a Family Farewell for John at the Aramoho Crematorium Chapel, McNeill Street, Whanganui on Monday 29th December 2025, at 3.00pm.

09/11/2025

A little side quest to straighten up the bent lifting link on the valve gear lead to freeing up the firebox door.
Amongst the sand, sitting on the firebars was some clinker left over from the last time she was steamed some 107 years ago.

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