The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The Plains Railway & Historical Museum was founded by the Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society in 1971 to preserve the Mid-Canterbury regions past. This is home to Historic Steam Loco's: Ja1260, K88 and A64 plus a collection of shunters. A 2.5 kilometre vintage railway features amongst a recreated village, complete with replica and authentic buildings and a vast rural history display ranging from horse drawn gigs and wagons to tractors. Open days commence from September to May, check our Website or Facebook page for operating days/hours and prices. Entry to the Complex is via Donation. Working Voluntary Members are onsite 6 days a week, and will show you through the complex if its not an official operating day. Also onsite is The Ashburton Fire Museum which has the largest Private Collection of Vintage Fire Vehicles/Equipment and more in NZ. Find us on Facebook: The Plains Railway & Historical Museum
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
16 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Kiwi12
Rangiora, New Zealand355 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
A group of us spent a fascinating time looking at old carpenters and printers tools. Steam engines, Railcar, carriages, working Smithy with a blacksmith making things. Lots more of very exciting machines. Well worth a visit.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean
2 contributions
Oct 2022
Being allowed inside the cab of JA1260 and getting to blow the whistle, made my day and is so cool. had lots of fun and got treated amazingly by staff and crew.
Written 24 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain
Christchurch, New Zealand20 contributions
Sep 2020
Great little heritage railway with beautiful locomotives, lots of other machinery and displays to see
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KThompson52
5 contributions
Aug 2019
Fantastic collection of historic equipment, including railway engines and carriages. Go on a day when the trains are running. An incredible look back in time.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review KThompson - we are proud of how our Volunteer Working Members continue to keep our Site highly presented, and operate the Railway on our open days.
Written 4 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BRIAN B
New York City, NY766 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
The Plains Museum's main attraction is the opportunity to ride a train behind one of their three unique New Zealand made steam locomotives.
This was my main reason for going here and I was quite disappointed when on arrival I found that none of the steam locos were in service and not only that, they were not available to visit in their shed! Not a glimpse of these locomotives was possible.
After a trip half way round the planet for a unique experience this was a disappointment. The ride that day was given by an old Vulcan Diesel Railcar made in the UK.
This was an interesting ride, it certainly doesn't take long as the track is short so we rode it twice. The best part of the Railcar turned out not to be the full size one at all because on leaving the site we saw and went over to the Model Engineer's track where we rode behind a 5" guage battery powered perfect replica of the Vulcan Railcar. The volunteer's were thrilled to operate the narrow guage train to take us around the circuit and this alone would have been worth the trip to the Museum.
Trains are not the only mechanical items here. There are sheds with farm tractors and machinery and a replica Fire Station with fire appliances that worked in the area from Victorian Times until the present. These include a horse drawn steam engine by Shand Mason. A Dennis F8, Rolls Royce powered from the 50's old Fords all of which once served Ashburton. Volunteers will also give rides in a Commer from the UK along the road paralleling the railway track.
There are a number of old buildings brought to the site containing collections of local businesses and household contents.
Another self contained collection with it's own building is the Lynn Woodworking Museum. The volunteer guides here will take the time to chat with you about the exhibits and the local industry. If you had no interest in woodworking tools when you enter you will have by the time you leave.
In fact on reflection, much as I had been disappointed to find that no steam locos were in service the enthusiasm of the volunteers at the Fire Museum, Woodworking Museum and Model Engineers more than made up for it. A genuine New Zealand treat.
This was my main reason for going here and I was quite disappointed when on arrival I found that none of the steam locos were in service and not only that, they were not available to visit in their shed! Not a glimpse of these locomotives was possible.
After a trip half way round the planet for a unique experience this was a disappointment. The ride that day was given by an old Vulcan Diesel Railcar made in the UK.
This was an interesting ride, it certainly doesn't take long as the track is short so we rode it twice. The best part of the Railcar turned out not to be the full size one at all because on leaving the site we saw and went over to the Model Engineer's track where we rode behind a 5" guage battery powered perfect replica of the Vulcan Railcar. The volunteer's were thrilled to operate the narrow guage train to take us around the circuit and this alone would have been worth the trip to the Museum.
Trains are not the only mechanical items here. There are sheds with farm tractors and machinery and a replica Fire Station with fire appliances that worked in the area from Victorian Times until the present. These include a horse drawn steam engine by Shand Mason. A Dennis F8, Rolls Royce powered from the 50's old Fords all of which once served Ashburton. Volunteers will also give rides in a Commer from the UK along the road paralleling the railway track.
There are a number of old buildings brought to the site containing collections of local businesses and household contents.
Another self contained collection with it's own building is the Lynn Woodworking Museum. The volunteer guides here will take the time to chat with you about the exhibits and the local industry. If you had no interest in woodworking tools when you enter you will have by the time you leave.
In fact on reflection, much as I had been disappointed to find that no steam locos were in service the enthusiasm of the volunteers at the Fire Museum, Woodworking Museum and Model Engineers more than made up for it. A genuine New Zealand treat.
Written 22 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwigirl_2012255118
Ashburton, New Zealand31 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
So much to see here and staff are super friendly and helpful. The chaps in the fire museum gave us a super informative and interesting talk about the engines. It is easy to see how much work has gone into this place and they have done an amazing job. Their website is informative and will tell you the next running day for the train. Go and support this place- it is well worth it!
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeoffClark22
Franz Josef, New Zealand17 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
This is a great place for a stroll through time. Entry is by donation and they had a great variety of machinery running when we visited on Sunday 4th Feb. Friendly people explaining the machinery too. Dog friendly.
Written 4 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheTravellingTeacherNZ
Blenheim, New Zealand34 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
What a great place to visit! All of the engines working, shiny brass and soft chugging engines! I loved the beautiful, little church, very quaint and photogenic.
Written 20 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina L
6 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
Lots to see and do. Excellent opportunities for photography. Friendly staff who do a great job, and are happy to answer any questions.
Written 18 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank L
104 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
simple but charming, lovely old trains that are still steamed up and maintained by enthusiast, check before you go for a steam up day
Written 23 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingTHE PLAINS VINTAGE RAILWAY & HISTORICAL MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
- The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum:
- (0.23 km) Ashburton Holiday Park
- (5.19 km) Taylors Motel
- (2.17 km) Asure Adcroft Motel
- (5.64 km) Bella Vista Motel Ashburton
- (5.98 km) The Suites Ashburton
- Restaurants near The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum:
- (1.04 km) Spice Express
- (1.05 km) Fresh Fish Tinwald
- (3.76 km) Formosa Restaurant
- (1.21 km) Alluvial Restaurant
- (2.21 km) Lushingtons Cafe