Blenheim based Pounamu Tourism Group will operate a 1915 steam train throughout the South Island next year, including one journey that runs the length of the island. He said the idea for the Great Southern Steam Train Tour emerged to expand heritage rail tours on the Marlborough Flyer, to help Kiwis explore their own backyard by steam train. "We've got this wonderful asset; this fantastic 1915 coal-fired steam locomotive which is a living piece of railway heritage - why don't we take it further south." The 1915 locomotive Passchendaele operates the tourism train Marlborough Flyer. The Great Southern Steam Train Tour is scheduled for next April and offers a range of options departing from Wellington, Christchurch, Invercargill or Blenheim.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 05, 2020 06:45 UTC