Steam Train Excursion

By Val

@valmnz (17097)

New Zealand

July 31, 2022 2:13pm CST

Yesterday I experienced three hours of nostalgia, when I went on a three hour steam train excursion. I've been on plenty of trains in recent years, but it's at least 50 years since I rode on a steam train. This heritage train not only had an old engine, all polished up and looking rather grand, but also the interior was decked out in authentic woodwork and red leather seats. The train was packed, carrying 510 excited passengers through the Manawatu Gorge here in New Zealand. Lots of passengers were families and many of the children were experiencing their first train ride. Passing through five tunnels added to the excitement. The train sounded its whistle many times during the trip, such a magical sound, bringing back lots of memories. We spent about an hour at a small town on the other end of the gorge, while the train took on more water and coal. The locals had set up food and craft stalls to keep us happy during that time. It was a freezing cold winter's day, but no one seemed to mind too much. I'm so pleased I went on the trip and, like a child, I smiled to myself for many hours after I was home again. And, what's more exciting, I'm gong on another train ride next weekend, not a steam train, but it will still be exciting.

15 people like this

15 responses

@LadyDuck (472074)

• Switzerland

1 Aug 22

I have ridden a steam train a few times, usually during tourists excursion. I love it, but I always ended up with some stain on my face.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

Actually Anna, this seemed to be a soot free trip. But I do know what you mean.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

2 Aug 22

@LadyDuck would be somewhat hazardous going through tunnels

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@LadyDuck (472074)

• Switzerland

2 Aug 22

I always had the bad idea to lean my head out of the window.

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@toniganzon (72533)

• Philippines

1 Aug 22

I have never ridden a steam train ever. That must have been quite an experience. I don't think we have any in this country anymore.

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@toniganzon (72533)

• Philippines

1 Aug 22

@valmnz Even private corporations have no such thing as this as a tourist attraction.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

No, we don't have them any more either - ones like this are privately owned by steam train enthusiast organisations. Excursions like the one I went on are so popular.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

@toniganzon it's nice that rail enthusiasts are keeping the memory of steam alive.

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@noni1959 (10109)

• United States

1 Aug 22

How fun! I've been on a few. At Christmas time we drive two hours to Seaside (Oregon), for the trip to the "North Pole" on one. That is a lot of passengers on the train. So many joyful faces.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

I think we have a North Pole one at Christmas time too. Even though we're down in the Southern hemisphere

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

2 Aug 22

@noni1959 yes, I believe the one here creates a really great atmosphere for the kids.

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@noni1959 (10109)

• United States

2 Aug 22

@valmnz It seems silly to go seaside or somewhere without snow and be called the North Pole but it's fun and the kids love it. Santa and Mrs. Claus comes on the train too.

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@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

31 Jul 22

I love taking train rides a lot since I like seeing the sights of the outdoors while inside of a moving machine.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

We are lucky here that several organisations restore old trains and offer excursion trips.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

@Deepizzaguy so many people gget to enjoy them.

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@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

1 Aug 22

@valmnz That is nice of those organizations to keep the old trains in service.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Aug 22

That is wonderful Val. It’s been years since I rode a train .. We only rode from one town to the next but it was fun.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

It was such a convenient way to travel back in the day! I remember having to close windows before going into a tunnel so you didn't get covered in soot!

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

2 Aug 22

@RubyHawk we only have one main North Island line and a shorter one in the South Island. But they only run 2 or 3 times a week. There is another line, from where I live down to Wellington, the capital city, early morning, in time for commuters to arrive at work. Then the return trip in the evening. It's about a two hour trip.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Aug 22

@valmnz We don’t have town to town trains as we used to, now it’s city to city. Most of our railroad tracks have been removed.

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@misunderstood_zombie (8142)

• United States

1 Aug 22

That would be so fun to ride a real steam train. I've rode one before, but it was at Six Flags and I don't think that counts.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

Not sure what Six Flags is? Even the carriages were restored in an authentic way.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

@misunderstood_zombie oh, okay. But yes,surely that counts too

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@misunderstood_zombie (8142)

• United States

1 Aug 22

@valmnz It's like a Disneyland theme park.

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@averygirl72 (37845)

• Philippines

1 Aug 22

I think there are no more steam trains here in my country. That sounds really an exciting ride. I used to ride the Philippine National Railways train

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@averygirl72 (37845)

• Philippines

2 Aug 22

@valmnz Oh I see. It must be an expensive ride

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

There aren't any more steam trains in the public system here. These ones are owned and operated by private organisations, run by railway enthusiasts.

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@marlina (154131)

• Canada

31 Jul 22

Sure sounds like you had a ball!

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Jul 22

I absolutely loved it. I enjoy going on train excursions as many times as I can. It's well over a year since I've been on one.

@wolfgirl569 (108126)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Aug 22

That would be fun to do.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

Yes, it really was fun. I've done a similar trip before, but that one was a diesel engine hauling the train.

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@RasmaSandra (80736)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

1 Aug 22

Sounds exciting I have been on a steam train only once, Glad you had such a good time,

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

I've been on lots of trains in recent years but it's such a long time since I've been on a steam train.

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@xFiacre (13152)

• Ireland

31 Jul 22

@valmnz A steam train’s whistle late at night churns my stomach - in a good way. Pure nostalgia. Hope you enjoy the next ride as much. I could do with a long train journey.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

I remember that night train whistle feeling from when I did my Ghan trip a few years back.

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@Kandae11 (55162)

•

31 Jul 22

I love traveling on trains. Especially when you can just sit and watch the country side roll by.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

31 Jul 22

Yes, it's such an enjoyable way to travel.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26777)

• United States

1 Aug 22

How nostalgic! Glad you had fun riding to wow a steam train!!! I've never rode one. Sounds like so much fun!!

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

I was like a little kid and had to stop myself from beaming.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26777)

• United States

2 Aug 22

Good, you enjoyed it!

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

31 Jul 22

How exciting. I have never been on a train. Maybe one day.

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@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

1 Aug 22

I love trains. There are not many public transport ones available in New Zealand now. But several private organisations restore old rains and offer a variety of excursion trips.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Aug 22

@valmnz That is great the trains are restored. Enjoy the rides!

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Paula Tranchina

@Ganma7 (3664)

•

2 Aug 22

So glad you could go & enjoyed it!