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
18 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Kiwi12
Rangiora, New Zealand372 contributions
Sept 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.
Edward B
161 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
For such a small entry fee, you have so many options for fun and entertainment there really is something for all of the family. The staff are all very friendly, the setting is perfect and the location is easy to find if you're in Ashburton or just passing through. Definitely recommended.
Written 18 March 2024
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 Zealand26 contributions
Sept 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.
Sally B
Christchurch, New Zealand21 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
The Plains Vintage Railway had a live day so we decided to go along to have a look.A small donation got us in
Excellent displays, including fire appliances,farm tractors and machinery, period shops and buildings and a huge collection of woodworking/turning equipment. Not forgetting the period Railway station and old steam and diesel engines on show.
The time and effort put in by the very friendly and approachable volunteers that run this facility shows in the very tidy set up, alongside the Tinwald Domain.
We thoroughly enjoyed wandering freely through the sheds and displays but the highlight for us was riding the Vulcan Railcar.... twice, through the surrounding farmland and back to the yards.
Looking forward to visiting again at Labour Weekend 2016 to see the renovated Ja
steam engine working.
Excellent displays, including fire appliances,farm tractors and machinery, period shops and buildings and a huge collection of woodworking/turning equipment. Not forgetting the period Railway station and old steam and diesel engines on show.
The time and effort put in by the very friendly and approachable volunteers that run this facility shows in the very tidy set up, alongside the Tinwald Domain.
We thoroughly enjoyed wandering freely through the sheds and displays but the highlight for us was riding the Vulcan Railcar.... twice, through the surrounding farmland and back to the yards.
Looking forward to visiting again at Labour Weekend 2016 to see the renovated Ja
steam engine working.
Written 21 February 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.
BRIAN B
New York City, NY731 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.
Natasha
Newcastle, Australia120 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
So worth a visit if you love trains! Make sure you go on a day when the trains are running though, check the website. It is all volunteer run so donations are welcomed, but it is it really reasonably priced at $8 per adult (for two train rides). There are vintage trains, tractors and fire engines to look around too. There is a miniature/model train ride close by ($1 per ride) and Tinwald outdoor pool is also there so take your swimmers if it's summer time ($4 adult)! We had a fabulous day out here!!
Written 27 December 2015
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.
Lynda
48 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Great family friendly activities with lots of displays. We went for a ride in the carriages.
Because it was Xmas lots of decorations were displayed. The one in the church was very impressive.
Because it was Xmas lots of decorations were displayed. The one in the church was very impressive.
Written 29 December 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
1 contribution
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.
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.
Kiwigirl_2012255118
Ashburton, New Zealand28 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.
giselle
Titirangi, New Zealand
Does the train run during the week or just weekends
Written 26 December 2020
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