Get on board for some fun on vintage rail

A revamped railway station is on track for Eketahuna.

Pahiatua Railcar Society president Don Selby said the society and fellow train buffs at Steam Incorporated had tidied and were using the former railway station platform in Eketahuna when Greater Wellington Regional Council late last year offered the groups the former Waikanae Station building free of cost.

"The regional council asked if we could find a home for it. I viewed the building, which was a two-room lean-to they installed at Waikanae in the 1960s, and found it was in very good condition and looked to be ideal for Eketahuna."

Mr Selby said the two-room station was superceded and put in storage when the station was rebuilt for the electrified commuter service that was extended to Waikanae in February last year.

He said the station would be used by the society and Steam Incorporated and fundraising of up to $10,000 would soon be started to help pay for the laying of a concrete foundation for the building and other work as well.

Mr Selby said the society would hold its annual Family Fun Day in Pahiatua this Saturday with any funds raised earmarked to pay for the operation of the group.

Throughout the day, the society's 1938 vintage railcar RM31 Tokomaru will run eight trips to nearby destinations including Woodville, Mangatainoka and Hukanui. The trips were popular last year, one selling out and others with passenger waiting lists.

A new attraction this year will be a steam train passing through shortly after lunch on its way to Masterton. The train will stop to set down and pick up passengers, who will be able to enjoy some fun at the society fair on top of their rail journey.

Mr Selby said bookings were essential for the steam train and prospective passengers could also join the train in Woodville or Eketahuna.

Other attractions will be jigger rides in the station yard, a bouncy castle, and the Jackson Engineering truck and trailer for the little ones. There will also be food stalls, BBQ stands and a range of retail stalls as well as car-boot sales.

A range of vintage vehicles will be on display and the railcar society will show off its other railcar restoration projects and large collection of railway wagons, including Wairarapa railcar RM5 Mahuhu, which has just received a major grant from NZ Lotteries Board and is expected to take its place in their operational fleet.

The fair runs from 9.30am and entry is by gold coin donation. The first railcar departs at 10.45am and will run continuously except for a short break while the steam train goes through until the last trip returns from Woodville just before 5pm.