The King Country Express - Glenbrook Vintage Railway

The King Country Express - 4 October 2026

Step onboard our lovingly restored heritage coaches, hauled by Steam Incorporated's Steam Locomotive Ab 608 - Passchendaele! Settle into your seats, savour the sight, sound and smell of steam power at it's finest and enjoy this special trip down the Main Trunk Line to Taumarunui and return.

Jump on board with the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and experience rail travel as it used to be, behind a steam locomotive! We're bringing steam back to the trunk this October. Join our train will make its way down through the heartland of the North Island along the Main Trunk Line.
By popular demand, we are once again offering this trip from Hamilton and the Waikato to Taumarunui and return in a day!
So hop on board as we step back in time – to how travel used to be – and experience the romance of traveling by rail!

The journey and the destination: Behind a steam locomotive the journey is just as important as the destination. Spectacular scenery awaits as we head towards the heart of the King Country, over viaducts, steep grades, tunnels, and river valleys. Powered by the rhythmic beat of steam power.

What’s the plan?

The King Country Express | Hamilton & Waikato to Taumarunui and Return.

Relax aboard The King Country Explorer as we travel from Hamilton to Taumarunui and back. As the sound of the whistle pierces the morning air we begin our run south. Steam Locomotive Ab 608 leads us as we roll through the early morning Waikato countryside and into the mighty King Country.

The journey south showcases spectacular scenery and historic engineering marvels. As we pass through the South Waikato farmlands, with further stops at Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, and Te Kuiti, our team will come through with complimentary refreshments. South of Te Kuiti we cross the Waiteti Viaduct and navigate steep grades and rugged terrain to the Poro-O-Tarao Tunnel.

Glimpse Mt Ruapehu as we descend into the Ongarue River valley, continuing through Waimiha, Ongarue and Okahukura then into Taumarunui. At Taumarunui you will have time to disembark, explore rail museum and the main street, get a coffee or a bite to eat. Our train departs in between our return to the Waikato with a trip for the local to Waimiha - it is also an opportunity for you to get some action shots of the steam engine and train leaving and arriving from the once bustling Taumarunui Railway Station.

Enjoy the changing landscapes, sip on a drink, and savour the open-air views as you relax on your way home.

A great train trip through the countryside and up to the central plateau - suitable for the whole family!

🪑 A Note About Seating

Our heritage carriages are generally arranged with two seats on each side of the aisle, so bookings of an even number of passengers are best suited to the seating layout.

Due to the popularity of our steam-hauled trips, single travellers will be seated with other passengers. We cannot guarantee a window seat or an unoccupied neighbouring seat for single-seat bookings.

Travelling on your own but want a guaranteed window seat with the seat beside you vacant? Simply book two seats.

🚂 Steam hauled 🛤️ Main Trunk Line 🌀 Taumarunui 🏔️ Mt Ruapehu views 🌉 Viaducts & tunnels

Option 1 • Mt Ruapehu & Sky Waka Gondola

What’s included

Return heritage train travel
Steam hauled from Hamilton to Taumarunui and return!

A full day of rail travel action, with Ab 608 "Passchendaele"

Fares

Return Ex Waikato (Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga & Te Kuiti)

Adult $135 | Child (2-14) $95

Option 1 | Waikato to Taumarunui

Steam to Taumarunui!

Frankton Junction will once more echo with the sound of a steam locomotive just like it did in years gone by. Steam locomotive Ab 608 provides the power as we prepare for a run south to Taumarunui and return. We stop for more passengers at Te Awamutu, Otorohanga and Te Kuiti before we make the run into the heart of the King Country.

Our arrival in Taumarunui will evoke memories of the limited expresses of old, when the station was an important refreshment stop on the North Island Main Trunk. You’ll have a couple of houors to stretch your legs and visit the nearby shops and cafés, and explore the Railway Museum, while Ab 608 runs a trip for the locals to Waimiha & back, and is serviced and turned for the return journey to Hamilton.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the journey, and the train is fully licensed. Our friendly onboard team will also pass through the carriages with refreshment trolleys, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy a classic day out by steam.

Timetable

Outward

Hamilton (Frankton)	dep.	8.30am
Te Awamutu	dep.	9.00am
Otorohanga	dep.	9.25am
Te Kuiti	dep.	9.50am
Taumarunui	arr.	11.25pm

Inward

Taumarunui	dep.	3.20pm
Te Kuiti	arr.	4.50pm
Otorohanga	arr.	5.10pm
Te Awamutu	arr.	5.35pm
Hamilton (Frankton)	arr.	6.00pm

Hamilton (Frankton) Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Boarding from Platform 2 (east side of station).
Access is signposted and is via Fraser Street, off Queens Ave in Frankton.
Ample free parking is available at the station and in neighbouring streets.

Te Awamutu Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Station Road.
Free parking is available at the station.

Otorohanga Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Wahanui Crescent (off Maniapoto St).
Free parking is available at the station and in surrounding streets.

Te Kuiti Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Rora Street.
Free parking is available in surrounding streets.

Taumarunui Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Access is off Hakiaha Street.
Free parking is available in surrounding streets.

Seating Information

Due to the heritage nature of our carriages, seating is generally arranged two abreast on each side of the aisle.
Most seats can be turned to face the direction of travel, or arranged as facing groups of four. For this reason, even-numbered groups are best suited to the seating layout.
We aim to seat passengers travelling on the same booking together. For bookings of two or more, we will allocate at least one window seat where possible, subject to availability.
Single travellers will be seated with other passengers. This may include another solo traveller or passengers from another booking. A window seat or an unoccupied neighbouring seat cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to guarantee a window seat with the neighbouring seat vacant, please book two seats.
Where possible, seats will be arranged to face the direction of travel for singles and pairs, or facing each other for larger groups.
Travelling with friends or family across multiple bookings? You must email at least one week prior to departure: [email protected] with the relevant booking details. Requests received after this time cannot be accommodated.
Other specific seating requests should also be made as early as possible. We will do our best to accommodate requests, but specific seats cannot be guaranteed. Your allocated carriage and seat details will be shown on your boarding pass, emailed approximately 24 hours before departure.

Onboard Information

Smoking or the consumption of Alcohol (not served by your train crew) is prohibited anywhere onboard our trains, including on any viewing platform, this includes the use or charging of e-cigarettes.
Due to the heritage nature of our carriages there is limited accessibility for people traveling with Wheelchairs. Please contact us in advance to discuss your requirements.
Animals apart from seeing and hearing guide dogs may not travel onboard our trains.
Only the named passengers on your booking will be allocated seats. One child under 2 may sit on each adult's knee. Children under 2 seated in this manner do not require a ticket.
There are toilets onboard our train which can be used throughout the journey.
Cold food or drink may be brought and consumed onboard the train provided that this does not disturb our passengers and that you take all rubbish and food scraps with you.

Refund Information

Refunds of fares paid, net of any payments made by GVR from those fares, requested and received by GVR up to and including fourteen clear days before the commencement of the trip or tour will be made without deduction other than a $30 administration charge per person booked. However no administration charge will apply where refunds arise as a consequence of the trip or tour being fully booked, cancelled prior to commencing, or postponed to a later date and the refund application is received within four days of the original trip or tour date.
No refunds will be given in the event of breakdown en route or unavailability of the advertised means of conveyance.
No refunds will be made if after departure, for whatever reason, passengers do not utilise the included trip or tour arrangements. Travel insurance may provide some degree of relief in limited cases.
No refunds of fares paid or any other form on recompense will be given as a result of any person missing any aircraft, train, bus or ferry in connection with this trip or tour for whatever reason.
No refunds will be given for cancellations unless the request is notified in writing to the GVR at least fourteen clear days before commencement of the trip or tour. Each such cancellation will be subject to the $30 administration charge per person booked.

Check out full Terms and Conditions.

Book now for The King Country Express | Sunday 4 October 2026

Your ticket includes return train travel. Tickets include train travel from Waikato Stations to Taumarunui and return.