The Kingston Flyer. Photo by Hamish McNeilly.
Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine are invited on board the
Kingston Flyer when the historic steam locomotive is dressed as
the children's book and television character for the second and
final weekend.
The Kingston Flyer's popular Thomas and Friends service
departs the station at 10am and 1.30pm tomorrow and Sunday.
The vintage locomotive wears a Thomas face and the Fat
Controller will be on the platform to welcome youngsters and
pose for photographs.
The train heads for Fairlight for a magic show and lolly
scramble there before the scenic return journey.
Children aged under 14 and accompanied by an adult ride for
free.
Standard ticket prices of $45 return and $35 one-way apply
for adults.
"We had more than 200 people last Sunday afternoon and
similar crowds the other three runs last weekend," Kingston
Flyer office manager Robbie Caldwell said.
"We're taking bookings for the weekend all week and advise
people to book early to avoid disappointment and for us to
know how many carriages to put on."
Mr Caldwell said the company was considering other themed
weekends later in the year.
The Flyer operates journeys on a 14km rail track from
Kingston to Fairlight that has been preserved from the
original railway line between Kingston and Lumsden.
The train consists of two AB Pacific Class steam locomotives,
which were built in New Zealand in 1925 and 1927, plus seven
steam-heated wooden vintage carriages dating back to 1898.
The original Flyer operated a passenger service between
Kingston and Gore from 1878 until the mid-1950s.
It provided a connection to Queenstown and the surrounding
runholder stations by meeting up with the lake steamers at
Kingston wharf.
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