Oamaru Steam and Rail Restoration Society Inc.

Oamaru Steam and Rail Restoration Society (OS&RRS) was formed in 1986 and has been led since 1999 by general manager Harry Andrew backed by a team of volunteers, operating from their Oamaru Headquarters and Workshop, bordering the Victorian Precinct, and home to a collection of heritage locomotives and carriages including the 102 year old Hudswell Clark B10.

Our most recent project was the restoration and conversion of their former electric 1949 English-built Railcar, Dm16 Phoenix to diesel/generator power. Launched in late May 2026, it brings an exciting new dimension to the lineup of OSS&R's railway heritage collection.

OS&RRS's latest project is the restoration of a unique piece of NZ railway history, A687, a 1901 Postal car originally built as a turtle-back passenger carriage at the Addington Railway Workshops and converted in 1904 to a composite postal car. A687 also spent time on the Dunedin to Invercargill and Dunedin to Christchurch runs and in 1933, it was converted again as a spare guard's van. A687 is considered the only South Island postal car of its kind left in NZ. Received by OS&R in 1991, a full restoration is planned to protect this unique railway vehicle, using the original NZR blueprints. Restoration plans include a full rebuild, wheels and brakes, a watertight outer shell and fresh livery. A687 will be rebuilt by Harry and the OS&RRS volunteers, joining together to keep history alive and preserving a heritage carriage for future generations.