The Plains Railway and Historical Museum is home to 3 operational Steam Locomotives, A Vintage Railcar, Pioneer Village and Vintage Machinery Displays and is open year round, with public 'running days' between September and June.
The Plains Railway & Historical Museum was founded by the Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society in 1971 to preserve the Mid-Canterbury regions past.
Since then the museum has grown to incorporate a farm, worked by our vintage machinery, a pioneer village and - of course - a vintage railway.
It was the railway that brought the museum international recognition, with the restoration of Rogers K 88, which was dug out of a river where it had been buried for 50 years and returned to operational service in 1981. Since then the 'K' has been restored a second time and is now run regularly for Tour Bus companies.
Alongside Rogers 'K' 88, which pulled New Zealands first 'express' passenger train between two urban centres, the museum is home to Dubs & Co 'A' 64, New Zealands second oldest operational Steam Locomotive. Also on shed is Hillside, Dunedin built 'Ja' 1260, which hauled New Zealands last steam hauled express and Vulcan Railcar 'RM' 50 - still New Zealands official Rail Speed Record holder.
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