Woodville Steam Express

Saturday 10th January 2026 - Celebrate the New Year with Steam Incorporated on these special family train rides!

Saturday 10th January 2026

Two Steam Hauled Trains from Palmerston North to Woodville & Return! Morning & Afternoon Departures!

Bring the family up and experience the landscaping in the heart of the Manawatu Gorge!

Travel behind WW1 Memorial Steam Locomotive Ab 608 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 scenic road for good. Fast forward to 2025 and work is complete and traffic operating over the huge infrastructure project to rejoin the two ends of the gorge with a purpose-built highway - Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway.

Travel through to Woodville where our train will be turned and serviced, before coming back for a second glimpse at Te Āpiti - you might catch a glimpse of Meridian’s wind farm, producing enough sustainable energy to power 45,000 kiwi homes. Upon disembarking at Palmerston North, reflect on an experience like no other, a steam experience for the whole family.

Please see below a provisional timetable for the day:

Trip 1

Trip 2

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

General Admission Single - $49
General Admission Family of 4 - $179
Infants under 2 years travel at no charge, provided they sit on the lap of a fare paying adult

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

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.

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.

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!