The Passchendaele Heartland Flyer

Join us for an excursion to Woodville via the beautiful Manawatu Gorge behind Steam!

Saturday 6th December 2025

Now hauled by War Memorial Steam Locomotive Ab 608!

Travel with Steam Incorporated north from Kapiti via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge to Woodville for an easy day out. Picking up along the way from Paekakariki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Otaki, and Levin, our destination today is Woodville. To get there, we travel through the famous Manawatu Gorge. Now only accessible via rail, you get a unique perspective of the monumental slips which closed the Gorge to road traffic from 2017.

At Woodville, sample the delights of the restored 1960s era station whilst our train is prepared for the run back down the coast. Meridian’s Te Apiti wind farm can also be seen from the station, occupying 1,150ha of land, with enough sustainable renewable energy to power 45,000 kiwi homes.

Exploring Railcar History

A new option has been added to the Passchendaele Heartland Flyer on December 6th, allowing passengers to disembark at Woodville and travel by bus to the Pahiatua Railcar Society’s Open Day. This addition offers travellers a unique opportunity to experience both a mainline steam journey behind Ab 608 Passchendaele and an inside look at the impressive heritage railcar collection at Pahiatua. It’s a perfect chance for rail enthusiasts to make the most of a day celebrating New Zealand’s railway heritage.

Your ticket includes bus transfers to Pahiatua, and a trip around the yard on Silver Fern Railcar RM 30. This is an extra $25pp.

Available for purchase on the day, is a trip on the Railcar Rambler - a scenic return trip on the seldom used Wairarapa Line from Pahiatua to Newman aboard our 1938 Standard Railcar RM31. Return fares for this offering is Adult $35 | Child $ 25 | Family $100 (2A 2C), and can be booked on the day.

Explore the sheds that the PRS call home, see railcars of different eras being restored, and check out fascinating railway displays. Fuel your day with delicious coffee and food available on-site!

Please see provisional timetable below:

Please be at your boarding station minimum 10 minutes prior ready to roll, with your tickets, carriage number and seating allocations at the ready.

Fares

Adult (12+yrs) - $139
Child (3-12yrs) - $89
Infant (0-2yrs) - Free

Provided they are on the knee of a full fare paying adult, no allocated seat.

Please note that if booking online, our booking system does add on a 5% booking fee to the above fares. Steam Incorporated does not see this revenue.

If you are wishing to take a ride from Palmerston North to Woodville, check out the Woodville Steam Express running on 10th January!

Group bookings of 10+ please contact us via email admin@steaminc.org.nz or call us on 0800 783 264 for a personalized package!

Limited Mobility Disclaimer
Due to the age, design and nature of our heritage carriages, these are not suitable for passengers with limited mobility. If you have any concerns, please contact us on 0800 783 264 to discuss options with our bookings team!

All tickets and seating allocations are sent via email, 48 hours prior to the departure of this excursion.

If you have any questions or need a hand with your booking, please contact us on 0800 783 264 or email admin@steaminc.org.nz.

Book online here or call 0800 783 264 to book directly!