Just as palpable as the majestic plume of steam that coursed from the Kingston Flyer yesterday, was the utter joy as it set off drawing carriage-loads of people towards Fairlight Railway Station. The first time the historic steam train had welcomed a paying public on board in nine years, the trip saw nearly 150 people, young and old, board the Flyer’s four restored wooden carriages. "There’s just something in our DNA; people just love steam trains," he said. The historic Kingston Flyer yesterday set off on its first commercial public journey in nine years. The Flyer operated privately as a heritage steam train tourist attraction from 2003 until it was mothballed in late 2013, before being purchased by a group of Auckland-based investors in 2017.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 19, 2022 04:32 UTC