The standard railcar from the Pahiatua Railcar Society in the North Island was collecting its private charter of Australian tourists after they had bussed to Orari from the railway station in Timaru.
Palmerston North-based locomotive engineer Bruce Hermann said the group hired the railcar for their journey.
"It’s the first time this vehicle has ever been in the South Island," Mr Hermann said.
The 14-strong group began its journey in Picton and had visited areas across the South Island including Hokitika, Christchurch, Hanmer Springs and Dunedin, he said.
"They booked the whole railcar to themselves, so they can just get on and get off."
Named Tokomaru, the railcar was one of six standard railcars built in the New Zealand Railways Hutt workshops in 1938 and 1939.
It was built to provide comfortable and fast rail services across the North Island.
"She’s the only railcar of that age that is allowed to run around on the KiwiRail network to this day."
