Last updated November 2026
On the way to Muriwai, the excursion trains of the Gisborne City Vintage Railway cross the main runway of Gisborne Airport, a working airport, and the railway tells passengers to watch out for aircraft. The railway is a volunteer society built around Wa165, a steam locomotive from Dunedin’s Hillside Workshops and the only Wa class locomotive left.
Public trips leave Gisborne on selected weekend and public holiday afternoons, mainly between October and June, and cross the long Waipaoa River bridge before a break at Muriwai. A diesel-electric locomotive sometimes takes the place of the steam engine. You can also see the locomotives and carriages up close at the society’s engine shed.
Practical Information
- Engine shed
- Corner of Customhouse Street and Awapuni Road, Gisborne
- Engine shed hours
- Thursday and Saturday, 9am to midday
- Boarding
- Train platform reached from Awapuni Road; arrive 15 minutes before departure
- Running pattern
- Public excursions to Muriwai, mainly October to June, on selected weekends and public holidays, leaving at 1pm
- Tickets
- From the i-SITE Gisborne Information Centre in Grey Street; any left over are sold at the station 30 minutes before departure
- Entry
- Excursions charged; see the railway’s timetable and bookings page for fares
- Run by
- Gisborne City Vintage Railway Inc, an incorporated society and registered charity
- Status
- Check the Gisborne City Vintage Railway timetable page before you go.
About Gisborne City Vintage Railway
Wa165 was built in 1897 at New Zealand Railways’ Hillside Workshops in Dunedin. It came to Gisborne in 1911 and worked in the region for about 30 years, much of it on Gisborne’s branch line to Motuhora.
After its working life ended, the locomotive spent many years on display in Gisborne, latterly as a playground exhibit. In 1985 a group of rail enthusiasts formed the Gisborne City Vintage Railway Society to rescue it and rebuild it to its original condition.
Society members took the engine apart and restored it to full working order. Wa165 made its first public trip to Muriwai and back in October 2000, and excursions to Muriwai have run since then.
The Trip to Muriwai
Trains leave Gisborne and run across the main runway of the working airport, which the railway says no other train in the world does. Further on they cross the Waipaoa River bridge, which the society describes as the longest river bridge in the North Island.
Trains stop for 30 to 45 minutes at Muriwai for a picnic or photographs, and views of Poverty Bay and Young Nick’s Head along the way.
On the way out the locomotive pulls the train; on the way back it is coupled to the other end, so Wa165 runs backwards to Gisborne. The society may swap the steam engine for its diesel locomotive at short notice, including when a closed fire season is in force.
The Train
As well as Wa165, the society runs DSC2759, a diesel-electric locomotive bought as a back-up for the steam engine and brought to Gisborne by truck from the Wellington area in 2020.
One passenger carriage was built in 1936 and has been restored with its original roll-over seats, which flip to face the direction of travel. The society says the other carriages are air-conditioned.
From locals
How early should I get to the train platform before departure?
Does anyone give a talk or guided tour when you visit the engine shed on a Saturday?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wa165?
A steam locomotive built in 1897 at the Hillside Workshops in Dunedin. It is the only Wa class locomotive left.
Where do the trains go?
Public excursions run from Gisborne to Muriwai and back, with a stop of 30 to 45 minutes at Muriwai.
Does the train really cross the airport runway?
Yes. The line crosses the main runway of Gisborne Airport on the way to Muriwai.
When do the trains run?
Mainly from October to June, on selected weekends and public holidays, leaving at 1pm. The timetable page lists each trip.
Where do I buy tickets?
At the i-SITE Gisborne Information Centre in Grey Street. Any left over are sold at the station 30 minutes before the train leaves.
Will I travel behind the steam engine?
Usually, but the society may run its diesel-electric locomotive DSC2759 instead, at short notice or during a closed fire season.
Can I see the locomotives without taking a trip?
Yes. The engine shed on the corner of Customhouse Street and Awapuni Road is open on Thursday and Saturday mornings, 9am to midday.
Who restored Wa165?
The Gisborne City Vintage Railway Society, formed in 1985, rebuilt the engine and has run excursions to Muriwai since 2000.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Gisborne City Vintage Railway: Wa165 History: the locomotive’s working life, its years on display and the restoration.
- Gisborne City Vintage Railway: Timetable and Bookings: excursion days, fares, tickets and boarding notes.
- Tairāwhiti Gisborne: Wa165 Steam Locomotive: the regional tourism listing, with engine shed hours.