History

The GVR is based on part of the old NZR Waiuku branch line which opened in 1922 and closed in 1967. Construction of the GVR began in 1970 and in 1977 the railway opened between Glenbrook and Pukeoware. In 1986 an extension was completed to Fernleigh the current terminus, 6km from Glenbrook.

The Railway is not a museum as such, but rather a fully self-supporting, operating steam railway, built almost entirely by volunteer labour. It is an ongoing project, with items being collected and restored or replicated as time, labour and finance permit.

The GVR is run by a Trust Board, comprising three trustees elected and appointed from the Railway Enthusiasts Society membership. The Board appoints a General Manager who is responsible for the day to day operation of the GVR. The 6 km long railway carries up to 30,000 passengers during the normal operating season which is from  October to June each year and is also available for charter throughout the year.

The Railway is staffed and maintained by volunteers and RES membership provides automatic access to all activities as a volunteer. Special Events are often held, such as "Friends of Thomas" (the tank engine) weekends and Country and Western days.

Operational Steam Locomotives

Ww480 (GVR No.1)
Ja1250 "Diana" (Ex NZR) bequeathed to the GVR by the late Phil Goldman.
Ww 644 (GVR No. 2)

Rolling Stock

Passenger

A variety of ex NZR carriages are currently in service, under restoration, or stored. These range from a 6 wheeled car of 1879 to more "modern" carriages from the early 1900's, all wooden paneled.

Goods

A collection of historic goods vehicles and other railway mounted equipment has found a home on the GVR, with some being used for Ways & Works purposes. The goods vehicles are used on occasions to provide photographic freight trains during Railfan's days on the railway.

Download a Detailed Register of the GVR Locomotives & Rolling Stock (pdf file)

Glenbrook Station

A small railway settlement is slowly taking shape at Glenbrook, the centrepiece being the station consisting of two ex NZR "A" type station buildings, one from Glenbrook and the other from Patumahoe.

The Extension under construction.

The Future

It is intended that the railway line will eventually return to Waiuku, 2 km beyond Fernleigh and work is underway to achieve that goal. The planned terminus is on the Tamakae reserve on the shores of the Manukau Harbour.

This area has been designated the Waiuku Heritage Area and also includes the Waiuku Museum, Hartmann House and the Kentish Hotel built in 1851.

Progress to date

Track has been laid, ballasted & tamped to Black Bridge on the old formation of the Waiuku branch. Resource consents have been obtained for the extension through to the Tamakae Reserve. The next step is stage two, the embankment around to the estuary which will require a bridge to be built (stage 3) before the main road into Waiuku. Approval for the culvert under the embankment has just been obtained from the Auckland Regional Council & funding on hand will allow some earthworks to commence to the culvert. Now that the culvert plans have been approved applications will be prepared shortly to endeavour to obtain further grant funding for the project to purchase the culvert pipes & undertake the earthworks for the embankment.

If you are unable to open the Detailed Register, Adobe Reader may need to be installed on your computer.

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Last updated 24 May 2008