Discover stunning scenery only accessible by rail.
Explore the best of the North Island's scenic beauty - often overlooked.
Learn about the story of New Zealand's rail history, past and present.
Join the Glenbrook Vintage Railway as we experience some of the best of the North Island's scenic railways under Steam Power!
Embark on an extraordinary adventure aboard Glenbrook Vintage Railway's private heritage train, travelling the North Island Main Trunk, where breathtaking scenery meets the golden age of rail. This is a journey to be appreciated at leisure; our steam locomotive maintains a gentle pace, allowing ample time to absorb the ever-changing landscapes as we make our way south.
Experience legendary feats of engineering like the Raurimu Spiral and enjoy the rare opportunity of steam-hauled travel between Auckland and Palmerston North. Each day covers a comfortable distance of railway, with plenty of time to appreciate the beauty of the journey and capture stunning memories in remote locations only accessible by rail.
Travel by steam and experience the romance of rail travel at a relaxed and unhurried pace. The tour coincides with the FRONZ 50th Anniversary celebrations, in Palmerston North, making it a must for rail enthusiasts.
This is a TRAIN ONLY option, for the independent traveller. Accommodation, food, transfers to and from the train and off train activities are solely the traveller's responsibility.
Ww 644 was built at Hillside Workshops in Dunedin and entered service in 1915 in the South Island for the NZGR (New Zealand Government Railways). After withdrawal in 1969 she journeyed under her own steam from Greymouth to Auckland in 1970, finding a new home at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR).
After years in storage, a restoration began in 2002, returning to service in 2007. In 2018, Ww 644 underwent an extensive overhaul, including the fitting of a new modern boiler, culminating in certification for mainline operation in July 2022. This restoration not only preserved a piece of New Zealand's rail heritage but also reinstated Ww 644's presence on the modern rail network. The locomotive's inaugural passenger journey on the national rail network in over five decades occurred in March 2023.
Departing from Glenbrook Station our Glenbrook Vintage Railway charter train hauled by Ww644 takes us on the historic Waiuku Branch Line, before turning right at Paerata where we join the North Island Main Trunk Line to Pukekohe for passenger pickups with connecting AT Metro Services. We then continue to head south through the lush farmlands surrounding Franklin and the Bombay Hills. We descend down to Pokeno and Mercer, where we join the mighty Waikato River - passing through significant swamplands and through rolling countryside. Arriving in Hamilton, we stop here for the night.
This tour option covers the steam-hauled rail journey only. All accommodation, meals, and transport to and from the train each day are the travellerâs responsibility, offering flexibility to customise your experience.
As the Field Days event is occuring this week accomodation in Hamilton is very limited.
Today, we bid farewell to Hamilton. Steam Locomotive Ww 644 and our GVR Tour Train await. Stepping back aboard, we prepare for a spectacular day of steam travel through the heart of the North Island.
As we depart Te Kuiti, we leave behind the mighty Waikato and venture into the rugged beauty of the King Country. Soon, we cross the historic Waiteti Viaduct, the oldest on the North Island Main Trunk. Feel the rhythm of the locomotive as it works steadily, its beat echoing through the hills. The train begins its climb toward the Porootarao Saddle, a challenging section of track that has tested steam engines for generations.
With a rush of steam, we plunge into the darkness of the 1.5-kilometre-long Porootarao Tunnel, a gateway between the watersheds of the Waikato and Whanganui rivers. Emerging on the other side, the landscape opens up, revealing the meandering Ongarue River Valley below. As we continue, the landscape shifts, revealing rolling farmland, dense native bush, and remnants of old railway settlements. The train gently winds its way toward Taumarunui, a town that came to life with the arrival of the Main Trunk Line. Once a vital junction where passengers transferred between river steamers and trains, Taumarunui remains an iconic railway town, its history etched into the tracks beneath us.
With steam curling into the afternoon sky, we ease into the station, where Taumarunuiâs rail heritage greets us at every turn. This is a place where time slows, and the spirit of the Main Trunk lives on.
This tour option covers the steam-hauled rail journey only. All accommodation, meals, and transport to and from the train each day are the travellerâs responsibility, offering flexibility to customise your experience.
As we depart Taumarunui, the rhythmic beat of Ww 644 echoes through the valley, signalling the start of an unforgettable climb into the volcanic heart of the North Island. Today, the locomotive will be working hardâitâs all uphill from here.
Our journey begins alongside the Whanganui River, a waterway steeped in MÄori legend. The river served as a natural highway for generations, connecting settlements deep in the King Country to the coast. As we skirt the settlement of Piriaka, the land begins to rise, and Ww 644 digs in for the climb up the Kakahi Bank, now following the Whakapapa River, which flows from the snowfields of Tongariro National Park.
The small settlement of Owhango soon appears, its history tied to the timber industry. A century ago, sawmills here processed vast amounts of native timber, with workers relying on the railway to transport goods through this rugged land. We then pass Oio, a quiet remnant of the once-bustling milling town that supported railway workers and bushmen.
Then, we reach one of the most famous feats of New Zealand railway engineering; the Raurimu Spiral. This world-renowned section of track was the solution to an immense problem: how to gain 132 meters in altitude in just a few short kilometres without steep gradients that would defeat the locomotives of the time. Feel the power of the locomotive as we tackle the Spiral, a moment that has thrilled rail travellers for over a century.
At the summit, we emerge onto the Central Plateau, where the landscape shifts dramatically. The dense forests give way to open tussock lands, and the towering peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu dominate the eastern horizon. These volcanic giants are part of the UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park, a place of immense cultural and geological significance. For centuries, MÄori have revered these mountains, and today, they stand as both sacred landmarks and a breathtaking backdrop to our journey.
Beyond the alpine village of National Park, we continue across the Waimarino Plateau. Here, we traverse some of the most spectacular viaducts on the Main Trunk Line. The Makatote Viaduct, soaring 79 meters above the river below, is a stunning feat of early 20th-century engineering. Soon after, we approach the Hapuawhenua Viaducts, both old and new. The original 1908 Hapuawhenua Viaduct, remains standing as a testament to the railwayâs history, now repurposed as a walking and cycling bridge. Meanwhile, we cross the modern Hapuawhenua Viaduct, built in 1987, a sleek replacement that allows trains to glide high above the forested valley below.
In the afternoon's long light, our train rolls into Ohakune. Once a bustling railway town, Ohakuneâs history is deeply entwined with both rail and agriculture. Here, we pause for two nights, with time to breathe in the crisp mountain air, reflect on the journey so far, and prepare for the adventures ahead.
This tour option covers the steam-hauled rail journey only. All accommodation, meals, and transport to and from the train each day are the travellerâs responsibility, offering flexibility to customise your experience.
Today you have the day to yourself in Ohakune. Take time to visit the wonderful Ohakune Rail Museum where you can learn more about the Tangiwai disaster from the educated team of volunteers and locals.
You may choose to join Ww644 for a side trip (at additional cost).
Hire a mountain bike and ride the Old Coach Road via the old Hapuawhenua Viaduct to Horipito.
Or just spend the day free at your leisure to explore the many short walks and township of Ohakune.
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As we depart Ohakune today, our journey begins with a gentle run toward the Whangaehu River, passing the site of the Tangiwai Disaster of 1953, a tragic moment in New Zealand's history. The locomotive's beat changes as we begin the climb up the Waiouru Bank, where the train steadily makes its way into the rugged terrain. We wind through the valley of the Hautapu River, a quiet and picturesque stretch of countryside, before reaching the dramatic Turangarere Horse Shoe Curve.
From here, we arrive in the town of Taihape. Leaving Taihape behind, we make our way toward the Rangitikei River valley. Beginning with the Toi Toi Viaduct we start of a series of stunning crossings as the land drops away below us to the Rangitikei River. The Rangitikei North Viaductâstanding 81 meters high and stretching 160 meters across the gorge marks the first of the big three viaducts.
Our next viaduct, the Kawhatau Viaduct, stands 73 meters high and 160 meters long. Here, we catch a glimpse of the confluence of the Kawhatau and Rangitikei Rivers. Continuing on, we approach the final of the three viaducts, the Rangitikei South Viaduct. At 78 meters high and 315 meters long, this engineering marvel spans the river gorge with elegance and strength.
Further on we drift through the township of Managweka before bursting through the tunnel of the same name. As we burst back into the open air we cross the impressive Makohine Viaduct. Completed in 1902, this steel giant stretches 229 meters long and rises 73 meters above the valley floor. Its striking presence has made it one of New Zealandâs iconic railway landmarks.
From here, we continue our journey, passing through Hunterville and the rail junction of Marton, linking the Main Trunk to the New Plymouth line. As we continue south, we travel through the gentle rolling hills of Kakariki and Halcombe, the scenery becomes softer, the land more open as we arrive in the Manawatu region.
Our arrival at Palmerston North signals the end of our journey.
This tour option covers the steam-hauled rail journey only. All accommodation, meals, and transport to and from the train each day are the travellerâs responsibility, offering flexibility to customise your experience.
Ask us about options for Pre/Post Tour accommodation and activities!
A full brochure and pricing are available on request.
To Book:
Fill in the Online Booking Request (Click Here).
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Phone 020 GVR Book | 020 487 2665
