KINGSTON, New Zealand — Just across Lake Whakatipu, the Kingston Flyer steams back and forth along a section of the former Kingston Branch, now disconnected from the rest of New Zealand’s rail network.
The 795 steam locomotive, a member of the AB class of 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives, regularly pulls four 100-year-old renovated wooden carriages for the eight-and-a-half-mile long Kingston Flyer excursions.
Hillside Railway workshop in Dunedin built the steamer for NZ Government Railways in 1927. The locomotive was converted to a tank version from a WAB class 4-6-4T.
It is the only remaining AB in New Zealand designated to pull New Zealand’s Royal Train. The Kingston branch formerly connected Kingston and Invercargill.
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