Woodville Steam Express

Palmerston North - Woodville & Return | Morning & Afternoon Departures Available!

Two Steam Hauled Trains from Palmerston North to Woodville & Return! Morning & Afternoon Departures! Sunday 29th November 2026

Steam Incorporated and the Feilding & District Steam Rail Society are teaming up for a special day of steam-hauled excursions through the spectacular Manawatū Gorge!

Bring the family along and experience one of the lower North Island’s great railway journeys, travelling through scenery that can now only truly be appreciated from the railway.

Travel behind WW1 Memorial Steam Locomotive Ab 608 “Passchendaele” as we traverse Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge, with fantastic views across the river and into a landscape largely inaccessible by road. The Gorge forms a dramatic natural link between the Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay, separating the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges.

The railway through the Gorge was completed in 1891 and remains an important transport link today. For generations, the railway ran alongside the former State Highway 3, a road with a long history of slips and closures before its permanent closure in 2017. Today, the new Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway provides the modern road connection, while the historic railway continues its journey through the heart of the Gorge.

At Woodville, our train will be turned and serviced before we set off back through Te Āpiti for a second look at this spectacular landscape. Keep an eye out for the wind turbines high above the Gorge and enjoy the sights, sounds and unmistakable atmosphere of travelling behind a working steam locomotive.

Presented jointly by Steam Incorporated and the Feilding & District Steam Rail Society, this is a fantastic heritage railway experience and a great day out for the whole family.

Two departures available – morning and afternoon – from Palmerston North to Woodville and return.

Please see below provisional timetables 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

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 the Woodville Steam Express Here!

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!