Gisborne steam train Wa165 opens new passenger platform at rail yard

Geoff Joyce, immediate past president of Gisborne City Vintage Railway, at the new platform for passengers of the Wa165 steam locomotive. Photo / Anne-Marie de Bruin

Passengers have a new spot from which to get onboard Gisborne’s iconic steam locomotive Wa165 at the Grey St railway yards.

The new platform is 44m long, is made from tanalised Pinus radiata and can be accessed from Awapuni Rd.

Popular steam train Wa165 will be back in action over Easter.

It was designed by Graham Atkins and took around one month to build, said Geoff Joyce, immediate past president of Gisborne City Vintage Railway (GCVR), which restored and runs the Wa165.

Trust Tairāwhiti gave GCVR $30,000 for the build and other work.

The new platform was opened in early February. Passengers from one of the cruise ship visits used it and there have been two public train rides.

The locomotive will be running again at Easter.

More information is on the GCVR website, or at the i-Site in Grey St.