The first section of track for Wanganui's historic tram is expected to be laid by the end of January.
And the first stage of the project, which will see the tram travelling from the Tram Shed on Taupo Quay to the PS Waimarie jetty - should be finished next winter.
Getting the tram out of its shed is an event that Jim Auker, head of the Wanganui Tramways Trust and a member of the Wanganui tram project team, has been looking forward to for years.
The No12 tram - one of a fleet of 34 that regularly carried Wanganui passengers for the first half of last century - is nearly 100 years old and was gifted back to Wanganui by Aucklander David Harre in 2005, after he found it rotting in a shed. The Tramways Trust spent five years restoring it.
Restoration was completed last year and since then the tram has been ready to go - but without a track.
In June, Wanganui District Council approved stage one of the project and formed the Wanganui tram project team to make this happen.
The trust has received a grant of more $180,000 from Powerco Wanganui Trust for the work.
Mr Auker said the first section of track would involve simply getting the tram out on to the riverfront.
"It's been sitting in the shed for years and we need to make sure it's working properly."
The completed first stage would connect the tram with another piece of Wanganui history - the paddlesteamer Waimarie.
Where the tram tracks would be laid in stage two is not yet clear, but Mr Auker said stage one has to be done right so that the entire the tram project is successful.
The tram project team recently met with Richard Hiles-Smith, a former Wanganui man who is involved in the redevelopment of Auckland's waterfront, including the reintroduction of trams to the city.
Mr Hiles-Smith's work has included the development of a tram track in Wynyard Quarter, which is currently 1.5km long and will be extended to Britomart.
Two heritage trams have been leased from Melbourne and there is a purpose-built tram shed for them.