News and Events.

Keep up-to-date with news and events from the museum Subscribe to our Newsletter.

Saturday 20 September 2008 we are running Harbourview Excursions between Dunedin and Sawyers Bay using TGR carriages and Steam Inc’s Ja1271 times 0900 to 1630. On Sunday 21 September 2008 Steam Inc are returning to Christchurch (Ja1271 with their carriages.) Dunedin depart 0830 arriving Christchurch 1935hrs and this is open for public bookings.

A weekend of Nostalgia
Labour Weekend 2009
Operating Plan
Draft #1
Introduction:
On the 7 June 1879 Vincent Pyke turned the first sod at Wingatui to commence the building of the Otago Central Railway to Cromwell.
Over Labour Weekend 2009 (24/25/26 October) to celebrate 130 years since the commencement of the building the line Taieri Gorge Railway utilising Vulcan Railcar Rm50 , Steam Locomotive Ab795 and an assortment of heritage rolling stock will run services between Middlemarch and Pukerangi. Also a major excursion on Sunday 25 October 2009 hauled by Steam Locomotive Ab663 will bring passengers from Dunedin to Middlemarch.
Middlemarch has something unique in its rail line and station precinct. People are now more aware of our past and most of the current generation remember the 1960’s, the Otago Central Line to Cromwell held a fascination for the general Public and Rail Enthusiasts due to the spectacular scenery and the operation of the railway. Part of this fascination was the operation of the Vulcan Railcars for the cartage of passengers and mail and mixed goods trains for freight and parcels and this will be recreated for this weekend.
Vulcan Railcar (RM50/RM56/RM51 depending on mechanical condition)
One of 9 Vulcan Railcars imported for New Zealand Railways in 1939 and which were a regular feature of the Otago Central Line from 1956 to 1976 running a daily service from Dunedin to Alexandra and return. The Plains Railway and Historical Museum have generously allowed the use of this railcar for the celebrations.

Steam Locomotive Ab795:
Steam Locomotive Ab6795 is owned and operated by Kingston Flyer Ltd and was built at Hillside Workshops at Dunedin in 1927.

Steam Locomotive Ab663:
Ab663 was built in 1917 at Addington Workshops, Christchurch and is owned and operated by Mainline Steam, Wellington.

Both these locomotives were used in the days of steam on the Otago Central Line.

Rolling Stock:
An assortment of rolling stock will be used (wagons / carriages) to recreate a period mixed train. Taieri Gorge Railway has a selection of wagons that would be appropriate for this period. The plan is to use 2 or 3 Taieri Gorge Railway carriages which will be painted red and also bring in from Kingston Flyer a Car Van.