Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
Our 90yr old steam engine Gabriel has a worn-out unviable boiler. We need financial help towards the estimated replacement cost of $300,000.
Our unique 90 year old 4-4-0 Peckett side-tank engine is the only one of her type left in the world. It is our iconic star attraction.
It is not only used to haul passenger trains, but also for school trips and educational tours.
It is vital that this engine is restored to full operation as quickly as possible, not only to uphold our vision statement “To restore and operate a vintage steam railway experience between Kawakawa and Opua"; but also because it is a treasured Far North NZ entity.
The unforgettable sight of this engine steaming through Kawakawa attracts visitors and business to our locality. It is vital to get her running again asap. Please help. Thank you
More about us
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway (BOIVR) is the oldest railway in North Island, New Zealand.
The BOIVR Vision Statement is “To restore and operate a vintage steam railway experience between Kawakawa and Opua.”
BOIVR is unique in many ways.:
It is the only line that runs trains through a main town street in NZ; passing the world-famous Hundertwasser toilets; having left Kawakawa railway station - a classified 1911 heritage building; to Taumarere Station where the longest curved wooden railway bridge in the Southern Hemisphere is located.
Long Bridge has just been re-piled so that our trains can continue to Opua through an 80 metres long tunnel, lined with 1½ million bricks made on site between 1881 - 1884.
We will be building a new station at Opua not only for train operations, but also for folk using the Twin Coast Cycleway which runs alongside our track.
Many of our vintage engines and rolling stock are unique; however, Gabriel, our iconic 4-4-0 Peckett steam engine, is the only one of her type left in the world.
Seeing her chuffing along Kawakawa main street is a huge draw for visitors who bring business to our locality.
She is much needed - help us return her to her tracks.
Use of funds
Funds will be used to pay for the replacement boiler for Gabriel, our steam tank engine.
Other page links
Latest update
Gabriel's boiler progress 24 June 2019
Thank you so much to our many supporters who have raised the grand total of $6,234.00 to buy Gabriel's new boiler.
As seen in the last message, the firm that her boiler was with went into liquidation; however, a new boiler-maker has been found, and the boiler was moved.
Even though it is unable to be used again, it is necessary to have the boiler to re-create a new one.
Gabriel's wheelbase is at her home base in Kawakawa.
Latest donations
Thank you very much for your kind donation. We much appreciate your support. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time with us during our first return to the tracks after the COVID-19 shut down.
Thank you very much indeed for your donation to help us buy Gabriel's new boiler. We much appreciate your support.
Thank you very much for your kind donation to help us buy Gabriel's boiler. We look forward to having her in steam again and showing our youngsters the power of yesteryear.
Who's involved?
