The Kingston Flyer - New Zealand's Famous Steam Train

The famous Kingston Flyer is back after ceasing operations in 2013 after a change of ownership. Ab 795 was in steam with four carriages for a special charter for the 2022 FRONZ Conference held in Invercargill.
The Flyer has been in operation from 1971, originally running along the route from Kingston, located at the bottom of Lake Whakatipu near Queenstown, to Lumsden, and was operated by the New Zealand Railways - making it the last remaining steam operation in the country at the time.
However after storm damage in 1979, the line was closed, but eventually reopened to Fairlight in 1982 - 14 kilometres from Kingston.
Since then, the Flyer has changed ownership many times through the likes of TranzRail, Kingston Flyer Limited, Toll NZ, and many other private owners.
The Kingston Flyer and all associated land and buildings was sold to a local consortium in 2017 that has retained the name Kingston Flyer Limited. Since this time the local consortium has been working to complete the restoration works required to the locomotives and rolling stock and the maintenance works required to the existing rail tracks to allow for the continued use of the heritage steam railway as a tourist attraction.
The railway was officially back for private charters in 2021.
From a personal perspective, this was the my first train ride as a kid, and it's great to see it going again!
**Disclaimer**
The introduction audio does not belong to me and is from the famous "A Train for Christmas" film. The voice is of Russell Glendinning, who was an instrumental figure in the Flyer's operation, until his passing in 2017.
Link for the film is here;
• A Train for Christmas ...
thekingstonfly...

[@aplynch030399]

I remember going on it when I was 5, I'm now 24, how time flies ❤

[@S0M3GUY778]

Went to Kingston many years ago and found it a bit sad seeing the locomotives just sat there. Amazing to see them up and running again looking beautiful as always

[@MartyJM01]

Great stuff! Awesome to see it going again.

[@TNZvideos]

Cheers Marty!

[@albertofranchi6408]

Super beautiful steam engine

[@Tdotttttt]

Why am I so drawn to the steam trains, it feels like its so alive, especially the horns etc are sounding like a person calling for help. I feel like its alive and I wanna hug the steam train

[@RollestonRails]

It is so cool that New Zealand most famous heritage train is back up in running I have been down there first when it was not in good shape and i went down and saw it about a week before it was going for the great southern rail tour last year would love to see it in person operating

[@zanegracie39]

Absolutely superb video Finn, can always guarantee a great viewing of what you capture, loved it, thankyou for uploading.

[@ducker09]

I fired that engine many times. From memory it was a W.A.B convered to A.B. IT HAD DIFFERENT SPRINGING SOME ROAD LIKE A CHAMPION. FIRED IT ON 144 INVERCARGIL TO CHCH EXPRESS 3 TIMES ONE WEEK . (NOT SURE WHY) THE SPRINGING WAS A BIG ADVANTAGE. Barry woodfield.

[@tehflak9820]

Wow, awesome stuff!

[@danielfowler8547]

when you have the "train for christmas on tape" flashbacks

[@JBofBrisbane]

Rode this train last November - more of a crawler than a flyer now, due to condition of the track and rollingstock. Still, this pads the experience out and makes it last a bit longer.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I love good news.

[@JackTobuscus]

hi there jack here i was just wondering if you know the right breed for cows cause i'm wanting to start rearing cattle as my own.

[@paul1153]

What date was this video shot?

[@TNZvideos]

Monday 6 June 2022

[@ashoksanivada3774]

Who is come from pspk khusi 🔥🔥🔥🖤💯💯

[@deanwitt7903]

Can’t beat coal . What a beautiful energy source . Long live coal and fossil fuels .

[@croonyerzoonyer]

No it’s a disgusting energy source and the evidence is insurmountable.

[@JBofBrisbane]

The coal will run out one day - as will you.

[@summer.reads_]

🥳🥳🥳

[@theextremeanimator4721]

0;07

[@kerryjames7150]

Running on hot water , destroying the cylinder lubrication .

[@62cripple]

What a beautiful beast....! 💪😎🍺🇳🇿