Money raised and donated for the purpose of getting the
Kingston Flyer back on its tracks has been spent, the man in
charge of the fundraising endeavour said.
Passenger numbers are riding high for the Kingston Flyer
since its opening day two weeks ago, with more than 1500
people taking the steam excursion from Kingston to Fairlight.
It was, indeed, time for celebration and for hope when the
Kingston Flyer's whistle blew again and when the steam and
smoke billowed forth. The Flyer's two locomotives are on
track again and more than 1000 passengers took the 14km trip
from Kingston to Fairlight last weekend to mark the
long-awaited return of the vintage train.
Queenstown and Southland were on Saturday united in the small
township of Kingston, in celebration of the long-awaited
return of vintage steam train the Kingston Flyer.
With beer flowing in the Kingston Flyer Tavern and Cafe, the
camping ground full to capacity and, of course, the Kingston
Flyer back on the tracks, residents say Kingston has been
brought back to life.
Alongside a rejuvenation of Kingston, the relaunch of the
Kingston Flyer is already bringing in more business, with
Queenstown's Heli Tours flying trips to the vintage steam
train at the weekend.
Driving an old steam train might not be a typical
22-year-old's idea of a fun day out, but for the Kingston
Flyer's newest crew member the relaunch tomorrow cannot come
soon enough.
