Kingston 'Save the Kingston Flyer' internet group set up

Fans of the Kingston Flyer have turned to social networking site Facebook after news the historic steam train, which runs between Kingston and Fairlight, will cease to operate.

The Otago Daily Times reported yesterday Kingston Acquisitions Ltd (KAL) had been unable to repay about $4.7 million on overdue loans to its prime lender, Prudential Mortgage Nominees Ltd.

Despite attracting interest from Railmark, a United States-based company which was prepared to pay for the Kingston Flyer, the 14km of railway line, an associated cafe and other amenities, and keep the steam train operating in Kingston, Prudential had "blocked" the sale.

On Thursday a Facebook group dedicated to the steam train was established by Margaret Groves, formerly from Invercargill, now living in Levin.

"Save the Kingston Flyer - Please" had attracted eight members yesterday afternoon.

The description of the group said the "iconic steam train located in Kingston, New Zealand - it's about to become a rusty heap of magic unless someone helps . . . and keeps this amazing machine operating".

One person commented they "couldn't imagine Kingston without the Flyer".

"I vote that whoever wins Lotto this weekend can buy the Flyer. I volunteer to come serve the coffee," Mrs Grove wrote.

When contacted by the ODT yesterday, Mrs Grove said she had a long association with the Flyer, which began when her father, Bob Robins, recommended Russell Glendenning, a family friend, to run the train in its early days.

"I grew up at Kingston and I used to look right down over the railway station. Russell used to go down and polish and clean it in the off season. I love that train . . . I'm devastated it's going; I'm absolutely distraught. If I had the money, I would buy it myself. Does that sound crazy?"

Mrs Grove said she set up the Facebook group so people realised "they are probably going to lose it".

"The train is just going to sit there and rust and it breaks my heart. I don't want it to stop running . . . I would love someone to say `I'll buy it, we'll keep it running' but I don't know how that's going to happen. There's been that thought hanging over it for some time and I'm really scared it's not going to be saved this time."

Mrs Grove said she planned to contact Kiwi Rail and urge it to step in and save the train, which ran on the only remaining part of the old Waimea Plains Railway.

KAL director Robbie Caldwell said knowing someone cared enough to establish a site dedicated to the Flyer and others cared enough to join the group "makes me feel very much better, thank you".

"We've been fighting this battle for so long, but you do start to get jaded."

In response to the suggestion whoever won Lotto this weekend could buy the Flyer, Mr Caldwell said he hoped one of the eight fans picked the right ticket, but thought possibly their ideas might change if they won.