Miniature Railways
11th January 2004

The first railway featured is the Aotea Railway, operating usually on Sundays as a fund-raiser by the Waitangirua Lions Club at Aotea Lagoon, just north of Porirua.

The second railway featured is found on the Petone foreshore, on Marine Parade and is operated by the Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society. Rides are available on "fine" Sundays between 1 and 4.30pm. There are a number of gauges ranging from 2.5", 3.5", 5" and 7.5".

The next collection is of images were taken at Avalon Park on 26th September 2004. It is home to The Lion Train which is operated by the Lions Club of Lower Hutt. The 10.5" gauge railway is just under 1 kilometre in length and operates between 1 and 4pm every day during school holidays and weekends (weather permitting). Rides cost $1 for adults and 50c for children. The railway was opened in 1978. On an average day it averages about 200 rides. The locomotive (1978) was built in 1978 by the Manawatu Miniature Railway and Model Engineering Society Inc of Palmerston North.

A further selection of views taken on 30th January 2005 at the Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society track at Petone features at the end of the collection.

The Cross Creek Railway is found in Featherston in a park opposite the Fell Locomotive Museum. It operates on Sundays from 10-3.30pm all year round, weather permitting. Rides cost $1 for 3 circuits of the park. The railway is relatively new and consists of a large loop around the park. The trust that operates it has plans to add more interest to the ride. The locomotive is petrol driven and is based on H199, the Fell locomotive that is found in the museum opposite.

In Queen Elizabeth II Park in Masterton can be found a 15" gauge railway, built on an island and surrounded by a lake. There are a number of bridges, a tunnel and Waipoua Station. The railways was opened in April 1972 by the Masterton Jaycees. It operates from 10-4pm on Saturdays and public holidays and 1-4pm on Sundays. On the day of my visit an NZ Railways replica diesel Dg class loco was operating. A very scenic railway and a photographer's delight!

Don't go past Palmerston North without visiting the Esplanade Scenic Railway. First opened in 1969, this 260mm gauge railway has now grown to a 2.2km long ride and further extensions are continuing. The operating group has 3 locos; Da1969, DXR1997 and DX1975. The railway operates from 1-4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and charges a very modest $1.50 for a very scenic ride.

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A loco and three carriages operate 2 circuits around the park and lake.
A loco and three carriages operate 2 circuits around the park and lake.
 Across the Aotea Lagoon the train can be seen heading towards the tunnel.
Across the Aotea Lagoon the train can be seen heading towards the tunnel.
 The train exits the tunnel and is now on the straight back to Pipitea Station.
The train exits the tunnel and is now on the straight back to Pipitea Station.
 The train heads back towards Pipitea Station. 11.1.2004.
The train heads back towards Pipitea Station. 11.1.2004.
Aotea Park and Lagoon. The train emerges off one of 2 trestle bridges, this one near the lakeside. 1278 is the date the railway first operated.
Aotea Park and Lagoon. The train emerges off one of 2 trestle bridges, this one near the lakeside. 1278 is the date the railway first operated.
Another view of the loco and train leaving the lakeside bridge. 11.1.2004.
Another view of the loco and train leaving the lakeside bridge. 11.1.2004.
 The diesel loco, loosely based on an NZ Railways type approaches Beach Station on 8.8.2004.
The diesel loco, loosely based on an NZ Railways type approaches Beach Station on 8.8.2004.
Steam and diesel side by side at Beach Station.
Steam and diesel side by side at Beach Station.
The 2-4-2 loco brings its train around the curve towards the station.
The 2-4-2 loco brings its train around the curve towards the station.
 A low-level study of the loco at Beach Station.
A low-level study of the loco at Beach Station.
 The 2-4-2 rounds the final curve before the station. Note the diesel train following.
The 2-4-2 rounds the final curve before the station. Note the diesel train following.
 The driver of 2970 prepaes to move the point lever to bring the train into the station.
The driver of 2970 prepaes to move the point lever to bring the train into the station.
The Lion Train is viewed through the trees at Avalon Park as it returns to the terminus.
The Lion Train is viewed through the trees at Avalon Park as it returns to the terminus.
 A busy scene at Avalon Park station.
A busy scene at Avalon Park station.
 Avalon Park Station.
Avalon Park Station.
 The train is seen approximately threequarters of the way through its kilometre journey.
The train is seen approximately threequarters of the way through its kilometre journey.
The train about to enter the tunnel.
The train about to enter the tunnel.
 Having just left the station, the train approaches the tunnel.
Having just left the station, the train approaches the tunnel.
 A train arrives back at the terminus.
A train arrives back at the terminus.
 At this point in the journey, The Lion Train is about half way around its circuit.
At this point in the journey, The Lion Train is about half way around its circuit.
The Lion Train is seen about to enter the short
The Lion Train is seen about to enter the short "tunnel".
 Dwarfed by mature trees in the park, the train is seen heading back towards the station.
Dwarfed by mature trees in the park, the train is seen heading back towards the station.
 The Lion Train leaves the short tunnel to continue on its 1 kilometre circuit.
The Lion Train leaves the short tunnel to continue on its 1 kilometre circuit.
 This view of the station was taken towards the rear of the park.
This view of the station was taken towards the rear of the park.
Tickets are collected prior to the train departing.
Tickets are collected prior to the train departing.
 Crossing the junction to the train shed, the train approaches the Avalon Park station.
Crossing the junction to the train shed, the train approaches the Avalon Park station.
 Loco 2797 gets admiring attention at Beach Station on 30.1.2005.
Loco 2797 gets admiring attention at Beach Station on 30.1.2005.
 66 approaches the station throat at Beach Station.
66 approaches the station throat at Beach Station.
Loco 66 awaits departure from Beach Station at the
Loco 66 awaits departure from Beach Station at the
 The driver of 66 replenishes the coal before departure from Beach Stn.
The driver of 66 replenishes the coal before departure from Beach Stn.
 No.66 gets lots of admirers as it stands at Beach Station.
No.66 gets lots of admirers as it stands at Beach Station.
 A low and close-up view of 66 at Beach Station.
A low and close-up view of 66 at Beach Station.
66 passes 760 as it heads through Beach Station on a run-through.
66 passes 760 as it heads through Beach Station on a run-through.
 Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society was operating loco 66 - Redwood Valley Railroad on 30.1.2005. It is seen as it rounds the final curve towards the station.
Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society was operating loco 66 - Redwood Valley Railroad on 30.1.2005. It is seen as it rounds the final curve towards the station.
 No.66 waits to depart and
No.66 waits to depart and "blows off" at the station.
 Diesel loco 760 stands out of use in the siding at Beach Station.
Diesel loco 760 stands out of use in the siding at Beach Station.
Aotea Railway panorama.
Aotea Railway panorama.
 The Cross Creek railway station at Featherston. Visited on 15.5.2005.
The Cross Creek railway station at Featherston. Visited on 15.5.2005.
 The track forms a large loop around the park.
The track forms a large loop around the park.
 Approaching the station.
Approaching the station.
Another view of the fine Cross Creek station building and ticket office. The Fell Locomotive Museum can be seen in the right background.
Another view of the fine Cross Creek station building and ticket office. The Fell Locomotive Museum can be seen in the right background.
 The railway's locomotive is a petrol-driven replica of Fell loco H199. The original can be found in the Fell Locomotive Museum opposite the railway. H199 was withdrawn in 1955 when the Rimutaka Incline was closed.
The railway's locomotive is a petrol-driven replica of Fell loco H199. The original can be found in the Fell Locomotive Museum opposite the railway. H199 was withdrawn in 1955 when the Rimutaka Incline was closed.
 H199 passes through the station as it begins another loop of the park.
H199 passes through the station as it begins another loop of the park.
 Waipoua Station, located in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton.
Waipoua Station, located in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton.
The Dg loco waits at Waipoua Station. Note the water vat.
The Dg loco waits at Waipoua Station. Note the water vat.
 The Dg appears out of the woodland as it heads around its circuit6.
The Dg appears out of the woodland as it heads around its circuit6.
 The Dg about to pass over one of the numerous bridges.
The Dg about to pass over one of the numerous bridges.
 Having crossed another bridge the Dg heads back towards Waipoua Station.
Having crossed another bridge the Dg heads back towards Waipoua Station.
The trains heads along the edge of the lake.
The trains heads along the edge of the lake.
 See from the station, the train heads towards the platform.
See from the station, the train heads towards the platform.
 The train passes through Waipoua Station and begins another round of the circuit.
The train passes through Waipoua Station and begins another round of the circuit.
 The train is seen leaving the station.
The train is seen leaving the station.
Simply a most photogenic railway!
Simply a most photogenic railway!
 The Dg and its train passes the working crossing lights and bells.
The Dg and its train passes the working crossing lights and bells.
 Santa Fe 315 brings a short train through Beach Station at Petone on 23.1.2006.
Santa Fe 315 brings a short train through Beach Station at Petone on 23.1.2006.
 Esplanade is the main station on the railway. The ticket office is pictured and nearby is a spacious carpark.
Esplanade is the main station on the railway. The ticket office is pictured and nearby is a spacious carpark.
A general view of Esplanade Station and yards taken from the footbridge. This collection of photographs was taken on 5.2.2006.
A general view of Esplanade Station and yards taken from the footbridge. This collection of photographs was taken on 5.2.2006.
 DXR1997 and a rake of carriages waits for a duty turn in the sidings at Esplanade.
DXR1997 and a rake of carriages waits for a duty turn in the sidings at Esplanade.
 Da1969 poses in the sunshine outside the sheds at Esplanade terminus.
Da1969 poses in the sunshine outside the sheds at Esplanade terminus.
 At the furthest point from Esplanade is Playground Station which as the name suggests is located very handily next to a children's play area; the location naturally draws plenty of custom. The DX approaches the platform.
At the furthest point from Esplanade is Playground Station which as the name suggests is located very handily next to a children's play area; the location naturally draws plenty of custom. The DX approaches the platform.
© 1998-2009 Alan Wickens - All copyrights rest with the Author
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