Steam trains, a vintage machinery museum, and sumptuous lunch options await your review as you step onboard our lovingly restored diesel hauled heritage train, bound for Historical Waiuku – the jewel of the Franklin district.
Now introducing our inaugural Waiuku Explorer train - Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for another easy day out by train!
Hauled by heritage diesel locomotive DBR1254, this exciting and new train journey sees us cruise the rails to the historical township of Waiuku. Featuring Steam, Museum Displays, Lunch and more – this is not just any passenger train from Hamilton – this is a heritage experience with the romance of traveling by rail!
Sit back and relax as we host you on board The Waiuku Express.
Departing Hamilton’s Frankton station, we head north through the old railway suburb of Frankton, and past the once bustling rail freight terminal at Te Rapa. Continuing north after a short passenger stop at Rotokauri we journey through the familiar settlements north of Hamilton, eventually meeting the mighty Waikato River at Ngaruawahia. The Waikato river guides us through Taupiri to Huntly where we stop for more passengers. North of Huntly we cruise along the Rangiriri plains and into the fast-growing township of Te Kauwhata for more passengers. Traveling through the mosaic of swamps, fens and peat bogs that make up the Whangamarino wetlands – the second largest wetland complex in New Zealand, we depart the Waikato and enter the Auckland district. Diverging off the North Island Main Trunk at Paerata, we begin our journey over the old Waiuku Branchline, shortly arriving at Glenbrook at 10.30am.
At Glenbrook, step back in time and take in the atmosphere of a typical turn-of-the-century rural New Zealand railway station. Of course the star of the show is our beautifully presented steam locomotive, complete with its complement of carriages, ready to take you further on your journey back in time.
Your experience with us today can be shared over one of the following three options:
Experience a delicious lunch onboard our steam hauled dining train.
Enjoy locally cooked cuisine as you traverse the old Waiuku Branch Line – including exclusive railway workshop tours and photographic opportunities.
Finish off by an exclusive visit to a local Vintage Machinery museum full of lovingly restored and well kept tractors and machinery, proudly owned by Knight and Dickey.
Return Ex Hamilton (Rotokauri/Frankton)
Adult $159 | Child (2-14) $139
Return Ex Huntly
Adult $149 | Child (2-14) $129
Return Ex Te Kauwhata
Adult $144 | Child (2-14) $124
| Hamilton (Frankton) | dep. | 8.30am |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | dep. | 8.45am |
| Huntly (Raahui Pookeka) | dep. | 9.20am |
| Te Kauwhata | dep. | 9.35am |
| Glenbrook (Transfer to Steam Train) | arr. | 10.30am |
| Waiuku | arr. | 11.20am |
| Waiuku | dep. | 2.30pm |
| Glenbrook (Transfer to Diesel Train) | dep. | 3.30pm |
| Te Kauwhata | arr. | 4.30pm |
| Huntly (Raahui Pookeka) | arr. | 4.45pm |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 5.15pm |
| Hamilton (Frankton) | arr. | 5.30pm |
Enjoy free time to spend traversing the Waiuku Heritage Trail with harbour views, check out the local boutique shops, enjoy one of the many cafés in Waiuku or lunch at the Kentish Hotel – the oldest continuously licensed pub in New Zealand.
After thorough investigation of our lovely township, your steam train awaits for your journey back to your heritage train.
Return Ex Hamilton (Rotokauri/Frankton)
Adult $79 | Child (2-14) $59
Return Ex Huntly
Adult $69 | Child (2-14) $49
Return Ex Te Kauwhata
Adult $64 | Child (2-14) $45
| Hamilton (Frankton) | dep. | 8.30am |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | dep. | 8.45am |
| Huntly (Raahui Pookeka) | dep. | 9.20am |
| Te Kauwhata | dep. | 9.35am |
| Glenbrook (Transfer to Steam Train) | arr. | 10.30am |
| Waiuku | arr. | 11.20am |
| Waiuku | dep. | 2.30pm |
| Glenbrook (Transfer to Diesel Train) | dep. | 3.30pm |
| Te Kauwhata | arr. | 4.30pm |
| Huntly (Raahui Pookeka) | arr. | 4.45pm |
| Rotokauri (The Base) | arr. | 5.15pm |
| Hamilton (Frankton) | arr. | 5.30pm |
Hamilton (Frankton) Station
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/xfhqKMjU2mRJ88zQA
Boarding from Platform 2 (east side of station next to the lawn)
Access is signposted and is via Fraser Street, off Queens Ave in Frankton.
Ample free parking is available at the Station and in neighbouring streets.
Rotokauri (The Base) Station
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/U7TUoQ4JVXrQ3PMT6
Access by road is off Kiriwai Kaui Drive - accessible from Tasman Road, Arthur Porter Drive or Clem Newby/Winders Road.
Ample free parking is available at the Station off Kiriwai Kaui Drive (west side of station) or on street.
Huntly (Raahui Pookeka) Station
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mn7bQRJCi7f8poGe7
Access is off Glasgow Street.
Ample free parking is available at the Station or on street.
Te Kauwhata Station
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VYEFrQ1Aq2Y9vtZr6
Access is via the pedestrian crossing off Te Kauwhata Road
Parking is available along Salesyard Road.
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We aim to seat passengers from the same booking together. You will be allocated at least one window seat for bookings of 2 or more (subject to availability). Where possible, seats will be turned to face the direction of travel (pairs and singles) or to face each other (groups). If you are traveling with people on a different booking or have another specific request then please email us as soon as possible at [email protected] and we will try and accommodate your request the best we can. Your allocated seat and carriage details will be on your boarding pass which will be emailed to you at least 2-3 days before your departure date.
Onboard Information
Your ticket includes return train travel. Tickets for Option 1 Include Lunch served onboard the steam train and Tractor Museum Entry. Tickets for Option 2 Include Buffet Lunch at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club and Tractor Museum Entry.
