The Rangitikei Scenic Daylight

A relaxing diesel hauled day out to the heart of the Rangitikei District!

1st December 2024

Grab your family or your workmates, this is a great opportunity for your end of year social event!

Join the Steam Incorporated team for a relaxing run up the Main Trunk line to Taihape - the humble heart of the Rangitikei District!

Headed by one of our heritage diesel electric locomotives, departing from Paekakariki, we quickly escape suburbia as our train powers north collecting passengers at Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Otaki, Levin, Palmerston North, Feilding & Marton.

On our journey north of Marton, we follow the 1981 revision of the route. Following concerns of the long-term stability of the land in the late 1960s, the new route which opened in 1981 crosses the Rangitikei River twice and the Kawhatau River once over a series of majestic viaducts. See the sights from our open air observation car!

The North Rangitikei viaduct is the highest on the ‘Trunk, standing at a grand 81m, towering over the river bed. This section of line, a cutting edge land deviation for its time, cost a pretty $17m and serves as the most significant and challenging geological alteration to the North Island Main Trunk. You can see this all from your seat in our heritage passenger carriages, dating back to the 1930’s. Coming into Taihape, you will have 3hrs to explore this quintessential kiwi town.

Have a great coffee and a bite to eat at the family-run cafe, 'Brown Sugar' - a staple refreshment stop for people travelling between Wellington and Auckland!

Taihape is internationally recognized as the Gumboot capital of the world. The town's iconic giant gumboot sculpture is made out of number eight wire and corrugated iron. Good ol' kiwi ingenuity, and a great photo opportunity!

Coming soon…

We are proud to once again be working with the Taihape Rotary to promote this beautiful country town with various packages on offer. Our friends in Taihape are currently in the final stages of developing these packages and will soon be available to the public.

Please see below a provisional timetable for the day:

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 - $159 ex. Kapiti & Horowhenua
Child (2-12yrs) - $129 ex. Kapiti & Horowhenua
Infant - Free

Adult - $99 ex. Manawatu
Child (2-12yrs) - $79 ex. Manawatu
Infant - Free

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

Dinner at your Seat

Soak up the sights of the trunk in the fading afternoon sun, with a freshly prepared evening meal from Sandy and the team at the Station Hotel in Hunterville.

Being served is a tasty chicken salad main a freshly baked mini baguette, along with a sweet chocolate brownie to cleanse the palate! V, Veg, GF and DF options available, and if there are any allergies, please let us know when booking!

$30 per person to add this to your booking.

Book online now or call 0800 783 264 book!

Prior booking is essential!

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.