Excitement builds as jazz train puffs into town

All aboard! The jazz steam train has chugged into town ahead of Tauranga's biggest party of the year.
The National Jazz festival kicks off on Thursday night and the steam train has made its three-day journey to Tauranga from Paekakariki, north of Wellington.
The jazz steam train was a new addition to the  event's line-up last year, and festival director Arne Herrmann said it was a huge hit.
The train operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, offering two alternative journeys. The Coastal Express travels from Mount Maunganui, past The Strand and to Te Puna and back, while the longer Coastal Discovery heads to Te Puke and kiwifruit country.
 Passengers will enjoy the music of three bands and two pianists - one of whom is Wayne Mason of the band Fourmyula.
But Mr Herrmann said the train would delight  greater numbers than those on board. The reaction from the general public, he said, was "phenomenal". "Last year, every time the steam train came through The Strand, there were 30,000 people on the street at the Downtown Carnival screaming and cheering.
Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times