The Ashhurst Flyer

Join Steam Inc for a trip through the Manawatu Gorge from Woodville!

Sunday 2nd November 2025

Woodville - Ashhurst & Return

Travel with the Steam Incorporated team by heritage train as we traverse the Manawatū Gorge, taking in the sights of the rarely seen river, now inaccessible by road. ‘The Gorge’ is an interesting geographical location, linking the Manawatū and Hawkes Bay regions, and dividing the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. The railway line through here was completed in 1891 and has since held itself as a vital transport link through the area. The road through here, once forming part of State Highway 3, has a chequered history of closures due to land subsidence. The most recent of which was in 2017, when authorities decided to close the old SH3 road for good, fast forward to 2025 and this magestic new highway is now open to the public.

The Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway is a bold and scenic new route that carves its way across the lower North Island, reconnecting Ashhurst and Woodville after the closure of the Manawatū Gorge. Winding through dramatic landscapes, the highway blends modern engineering with a deep respect for the cultural and natural heritage of the region. It traverses rolling hill country, skirts native bush, and offers sweeping views of the Ruahine Ranges. From our heritage train, we see some of the huge infrastructure involved in turning this project into a reality!

Travel from Woodville through to Ashhurst & return, this train will be hauled by Ja 1271.

General Admission Train Fare - $49
Family of 4 Train Fare - $169

Book The Ashhurst Flyer!

Book online or call 0800 783 264 to book directly with the team!

All seating is reserved and allocated on these special experiences. Prior booking is essential.

Steam Incorporated is an Incorporated Society, dedicated to the restoration to full working order of ex-New Zealand Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock to provide unique rail journeys on the railway lines of New Zealand.