All aboard the Chardonnay Express! Murder mysteries! All sorts of fun events with this crew.
Wa165 is the only remaining Wa class steam locomotive in the world. Built in the Hillside workshops in Dunedin in 1897, it was the ideal locomotive for the heavily graded (climbing / descending) railway line between Gisborne and Motuhora where it spent most of its working life. Their excursions currently run between Gisborne and Muriwai. One of the carriages was built in 1936 and has been restored to original condition, complete with the roll-over seating to change the direction of travel. All of the other carriages are fully air conditioned to keep you cool.
The journey encompasses some unique features such as crossing the main Gisborne airport runway (the only train in the world to cross the main runway of a fully operational airport, so watch out for aircraft) and also crossing the Waipaoa river bridge (the longest river bridge in the North Island). The excursion also gives you a unique showcase of the stunning seascape of Poverty Bay with Young Nick’s Head in the background, as well as our world famous fertile agriculture landscape. Special charters like the Chardonnay Express add to the glamour & fun.
