Train won't be sold to trust: owner

The Kingston Flyer. Photo supplied.
The Kingston Flyer. Photo supplied.
After a failed attempt to purchase the $2.5 million Kingston Flyer and its properties two years ago, a former Invercargill engineer is asking for donations again after the steam train was put back on the market last week.

Owner David Bryce said he would not sell to the Kingston Flyer Railway Heritage Trust.

Karl Barkley formed the then Southern F Locomotive Trust in 2009 after Kingston Acquisitions and the Kingston Flyer went into receivership.

By the time the train was purchased by Marlborough vineyard owner Mr Bryce in June 2011, the trust had raised $55,000.

The trust was deregistered earlier in April for failing to file financial returns.

When asked by the Otago Daily Times where the $55,000 had gone, Mr Barkley said about $20,000 had been used in advertising and the rest was still in pledges and had not been collected.

Yesterday, Mr Barkley said he was again looking for ''eight good people'' to restart the trust and raise the required $2.5 million through donations and seek the money left in pledges two years ago.

''We are tending to raise capital through the general public.''

If successful, Mr Barkley plans to make an offer for purchase. However, Mr Bryce said under no circumstances would he sell to any trust associated with Mr Barkley. Mr Barkley acknowledged he had been raising money for the train during the two years its has been under ownership of Mr Bryce. He had collected donations at events, the last being Edendale's Crank-Up Day in January.

He also conceded several people had complained about his initial fundraising efforts and been ''very critical'', but said no-one had come forward and asked for their money back.

''If people want their money back, then they've got a problem, because they don't want to save the train, do they?''''I'm quite happy with what I've done. Fundraising has all been legitimate and towards the campaign.''

Mr Barkley said he had all receipts for the $20,000 used in advertising and would get them confirmed from his accountant when he had the money to do so.

''A lot of people have told me to carry on what I'm doing. I've had more people encourage me than I have negative ... I'm not a fraud. Take me to court if you want to.''

Mr Barkley has not directly approached Mr Bryce to make an offer for the train since December, as it would be ''a waste of time dealing with [him] direct''.

Facing refusal, Mr Barkley said he would still continue the trust campaign.

It took Mr Barkley 20 months to raise the $55,000, but he has no doubt $2.5 million is within reach this time. ''Course it's possible.''

He predicts on top of the initial $2.5 million purchase, the train would then cost a further $3 million in repairs.

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