Plans on track for old railway

Securing a 30-year lease on a mothballed section of railway line has given one entrepreneur the chance to start up a travel venture through some North Island wilderness.

Ian Balme, of Forgotten World Adventures, has leased the Stratford to Okahukura line which KiwiRail stopped using three years ago.

From October 13, Mr Balme will offer tourists the chance to motor along the 140km of line linking Taranaki to the King Country in self-driven carts.

The carts are modified golf carts that can be hired for a half day to two-day trips.

"This truly is a journey like no other. It's a magical part of the country and travelling by rail cart has to be the best way to see it," he said.

After seeing the runaway success of the Otago Central Rail Trail, Mr Balme is confident Forgotten World Adventures offers a significant economic development opportunity for the region. In little more than a decade, the Otago Central Rail Trail has grown into a business attracting thousands of visitors a year and contributing millions of dollars to local businesses - testament to the strong appeal of rail-based tourism.

Deborah Hume, KiwiRail's passenger services general manager, said the company was enthusiastic about the opportunity for Forgotten World Adventures to raise interest in rail-based tourism. "It's great to see a line that had to be mothballed being used again to bring tourism to the region." .

The rail carts are either two or four seater, petrol driven and have a maximum speed of 20kph. They are self-driving, meaning the driver can control speed and brakes.