Ontrack, also known as New Zealand Railways Corporation, owns and maintains the vast majority of railway track, signalling infrastructure and rail corridor land in New Zealand. Access is leased to transport operators.
Toll Rail, New Zealand's leading transport operator, operates the vast majority of trains in New Zealand, mostly freight.
Tranz Scenic operates long distance passenger trains. Long distance passenger train timetables are available at http://www.tranzrailtravel.co.nz/
Commuter train services in Wellington and Auckland are operated by Tranz Metro.
The New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Inc , PO Box 5134, Wellington, founded in 1944, is New Zealand's longest established and largest railway enthusiast organisation. Its quarterly journal is the The New Zealand Railway Observer. The society organises regular meetings, annual conferences and rail excursions. The society also publishes many books, calendars, postcards, videos, etc. Several of its branches have embarked on full-scale rail preservation projects.
The Railway Enthusiasts Society Inc, PO Box 13 684, Onehunga, Auckland, formed in 1958, serves the interests of railway enthusiasts generally. It publishes a monthly newsmagazine YARN, maintains clubrooms at Onehunga and has monthly meetings featuring films, slides and talks. Major projects include the development of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the restoration of vintage carriages for use on train excursions.
The National Federation of Railway Societies Inc, Secretary Peter McCallum, c/- Taieri Gorge Railway, Box 140, Dunedin, formed in 1974, represents the interests of all its member groups and encourages cooperation between them.
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway operates a restored Peckett 4-4-0T steam locomotive and carriages over 12 km of track between Kawakawa and Opua. (Not operating at present.)
The Whangarei Steam & Model Railway Club acquires, preserves and operates vintage steam and diesel trains for Whangarei Museum Live Days and private rides. Presently there are several preserved locomotives and carriages, 1.4km of single track built entirely by the club's members and a number of preserved original NZR buildings and structures.
Western Springs Railway, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland. Static displays of numerous steam locomotives and other railway relics. Free train rides every Sunday. The Tramway Section runs preserved trams too.
The Main Line Steam Trust organised the restoration of several large steam locomotives at the Parnell Depot in Auckland. These locomotives are used on main line excursions in both islands. Mainline Steam Trust's Parnell depot is open to the public 6 days a week 9am - 4pm Monday to Saturday. Admission $5 per head.
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway is a project of the Railway Enthusiasts Society, PO Box 13 684, Onehunga, Auckland. Preserved locomotives include WW, F, Ja class steam locomotives and NZ's only Mallet steam locomotive. At least 8 former NZR passenger cars have been restored and are available for main line excursions. Trains operate on the 6 km branch line from Glenbrook to Fernleigh on Sundays and most holidays. Occasional main-line excursions are organised.
Goldfields Railway, Waihi Coromandel Peninsula operates an 0-4-2T Pecket locomotive over more than 4 km of track daily from 26th December to third week January and also on public and school holiday weekends from 11am to 3pm. Address is: PO Box 16, Waihi.
The Bush Tramway Club Inc, "The Pukemiro Line", Pukemiro Junction via Huntly, operates steam locomotives on the former Rotowaro to Glen Afton railway, 12 km west of Huntly. Public open days are held on the first Sunday of each month from April to December inclusive. No operation of steam locomotives is possible during the summer. Charter trips and other occasions like weddings and birthdays can be arranged through the club. Address is: The Bush Tramway Club Inc, Box C10, Glen Afton, R.D.1. Huntly, 2191.
Te Awamutu Railway Museum features a number of preserved steam locomotives and railcars, many of which are the last of their class. Operated by the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Waikato Branch, the museum is open on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
The Second Chance Train Trust, PO Box 8035, Rotorua, is a Charitable Trust and was formed in mid 1994 by a group of train enthusiasts who planned to lease and ultimately own a steam locomotive and rolling stock and run excursions from Rotorua to Mamaku and beyond.
The Gisborne City Vintage Railway Society, PO Box 893, Gisborne 3815, has restored steam locomotive Wa 165 and several carriages and runs excursions from Gisborne.
Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc..
Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
The Tokomaru Steam Museum between Palmerston North and Levin operates restored steam locomotives occasionally on its circular track. The museum houses a large collection of working stationary steam engines and other machinery.
The Pahiatua Railcar Preservation Society is restoring Wairarapa Railcar Rm 5 which is leased from the Silver Stream Railway. The historic goods shed at Pahiatua railway station is leased for the purpose.
Fell Engine Museum, Featherston, Wairarapa houses the only "Fell" locomotive remaining in the world, H199 built in 1875. It worked for 77 years on the 1 in 15 Rimutaka Incline and is a rare example of a 4 cylinder steam locomotive. Although the locomotive is not in steam, visitors can watch the inside and outside motion as the wheels and rods are driven by an electric motor. Address is: Friends of the Fell Inc, PO Box 71, Featherston.
Queen Elizabeth Park Tramway, McKays Crossing, Paekakariki operates electric trams ex Wellington on 1.5 kms of track from the park entrance to the beach. Trams from other cities are on display. Open every weekend and public holiday. Address is: Wellington Tramway Museum Inc, PO Box 2612, Wellington.
"The Engine Shed", Steam Incorporated, Paekakariki has overhauled several large steam locomotives including J 1234 and Ka 945, and several vintage carriages. These are used on main line steam excursions as well as short runs on private tracks at Paekakariki. Address is: Steam Incorporated, PO Box 4, Paekakariki.
Silver Stream Railway, Silver Stream Railway, PO Box 48 117, Silverstream, Upper Hutt, restores and operates steam locomotives including Ka 935 and vintage railcars at Silverstream in the Hutt Valley. Trains operate every Sunday afternoon.
The Kelburn Cable Car operates daily between Lambton Quay in Wellington city centre and Upland Road, Kelburn.
The Weka Pass Railway Inc, PO Box 22632, Christchurch, operates diesel-electric and steam locomotives through the steep and scenic Weka Pass between Waipara and Waikari. Unofficial site.
Steam Scene, McLeans Island, near Christchurch, recreates a bush tramway typical of the type operated on the West Coast of the South Island.
Christchurch Tramway Ltd, a subsidiary of Shotover Jet Ltd, operates restored vintage trams daily on a 2.5 km loop track passing through Christchurch's city centre. The venture is owned by the Christchurch City Council and leased to Christchurch Tramway Ltd.
Based at Ferrymead Heritage Park, the site of the first section of New Zealand's railway system, the Canterbury Railway Society restores and operates New Zealand's finest collection of steam, diesel and electric locomotives, rolling stock, signalling equipment and buildings.
The Ferrymead Tramway, PO Box 1126, Christchurch, restores and operates electric and horse-drawn trams.
Ferrymead 2 FT Railway Society Inc. C/o PO Box 19-988, Woolston, Christchurch. Restores and will shortly be operating 2FT gauge planet locomotives ex Grasmere Salt Works, and a small selection of coal mining rolling stock.
Shantytown, 11 km south of Greymouth, operates "Kaitangata" in steam every day possible and a "Climax" steam locomotive steamed by arrangement. Shantytown also offers gold panning, horse and buggy rides, recreated old town and a licensed restaurant.
The Plains Railway, Tinwald Domain, PO Box 5051, Tinwald, operates several steam locomotives including K88, a restored vintage railcar, traction engines, vintage machinery, etc. Open days are 2nd Sunday of every month and most Sundays coinciding with school and public holidays.
Pleasant Point Museum & Railway has restored steam locomotives Ab699 and D16 and they are in steam most holiday periods. The museum also features NZ's only restored 1/2 "birdcage" carriage, a restored vintage signal box and other railway relics. Address is: Pleasant Point Railway & Historical Society, Railway Station, Pleasant Point, South Canterbury.
The Oamaru Steam & Rail Restoration Society runs restored steam and diesel trains along the shore of Oamaru's harbour every Sunday 11am to 4pm and extra days during holiday periods.
The Kingston Flyer has 2 preserved Ab class steam locomotives in working order, several carriages and 14 km of track at Kingston, south of Queenstown. A successful deal struck on 1st May 1997 between Tranz Rail, which owns the locomotives and carriages, Kingston Flyer Ltd, which owns the tracks and the Department of Land and Survey, which owns the land, has secured the future of the steam train and tracks for the next five years.
The Ocean Beach Railway, St Kilda, Dunedin, is NZ's longest established rail preservation museum. It is operated by the Otago Railway and Locomotive Society Inc, PO Box 1297, Dunedin. Steam hauled passenger trains recreating the atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century branchline operate every Sunday afternoon August-May weather permitting from 2pm to 5pm.
The Otago Excursion Train Trust has restored several vintage railway carriages and even built some new air-conditioned ones. These carriages are used on "The Taieri Gorge Limited" which runs daily from Dunedin through the spectacular Taieri River Gorge. Carriages are available for hire for main line excursions. Address is PO Box 140, Dunedin. See also The Taieri Gorge Railway
The Otago Settlers Museum, 220 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, has two historic steam locomotives on static display. 'Josephine' is a rare double-ended Fairlie locomotive and is New Zealand's oldest surviving locomotive. Ja1274 is the last steam locomotive made in New Zealand, in 1956.
Project Steam Dunedin Inc. is a Dunedin-based organisation of persons interested in the restoration, preservation and operation of Steam Locomotives and Rolling Stock.
The New Zealand Model Railway Guild (and their old site)