Mainline Steam - About The Organisation

About The Organisation

Mainline Steam began in 1988 based around the collection of steam locomotives that were privately owned by Mr Ian Welch, the first of which had begun operating on the main line. Depots sprang up in Christchurch and Auckland, and later Wellington. The Auckland depot, based in the old Parnell diesel depot became the organisation’s primary restoration base and most of Mainline Steam's currently active locomotives were restored there. The Wellington depot, located at Plimmerton, is a purpose-built building which replaced the formerly leased Upper Hutt goods shed and has become an important restoration base also. The depot in Christchurch is a former industrial building that used to be located at Studholme, relocated to land on the premises of CWF Hamilton.

Mainline Steam is notable for having imported a number of African steam locomotives from South Africa and Zimbabwe (including a GMAM Garratt), with some more South African and Zimbabwean steam locomotives still overseas. It has also imported former British Rail Mark 2 carriages for use on its steam-hauled excursions, and is in the process of overhauling them for NZ use – it currently relies on spare carriage stock being available from Tranz Scenic. The organisation regularly operates excursions out of Auckland and Christchurch, the latter operating excursions primarily along the highly scenic Midland Line. Mainline Steam also has a number of diesel and electric locomotives in its care.