The Spiral Steam Spectacular - 20 September 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 Waimarino (National Park) 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 September. 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 Waiuku, Glenbrook, and Pukekohe to National Park and return in a day! While it is a long day, we think it is one not to be missed.
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 volcanic heart of the North Island, over viaducts, steep grades, tunnels, river valleys and the mighty Raurimu Spiral. Powered by the rhythmic beat of steam power.

Main Trunk Line scenery, viaducts, the Raurimu Spiral, Mt Ruapehu views - all in a day.

What’s the plan?

The Spiral Steam Spectacular | Glenbrook/Pukekohe & Hamilton to the Central Plateau, National Park and Return.

Relax aboard The Spiral Steam Spectacular as we travel from Glenbrook, Pukekohe, Hamilton to Waimarino (National Park) and back. As we depart form Glenbrook behind the rumble of our heritage diesel locomotives. We roll through the early morning Waikato to Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. More passengers will join us here and our Steam Locomotive Ab 608 takes control. As the sound of the whistle pierces the morning air we begin our run south.

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. Departing Taumarunui, we soon begin our climb to Waimarino/National Park and the Central Plateau, climbing the famous Raurimu Spiral, a unique and world renowned civil engineering feat with stunning views. Our engine will be working hard from here to "The Park" it's all up hill!

At National Park Railway Station we have a short stop to stretch the legs while our locomotive "runs-around" the train and takes on water for the return journey. The whistle and a hiss of steam signals our departure as we head to Taumaruni (on the main trunk line) for a longer stop. At Taumarunui you will have about an hour to disembark, walk across to the main street and get a coffee or a bite to eat while the steam engine is fuelled, watered, serviced and turned for the return journey.

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 🌀 Raurimu Spiral 🏔️ Mt Ruapehu views 🌉 Viaducts & tunnels

Option 1 • Mt Ruapehu & Sky Waka Gondola

What’s included

Return heritage train travel
Heritage diesel from Glenbrook to Hamilton/Hamilton to Glenbrook
Steam hauled from Hamilton to National Park and return!
An hour in Taumarunui for lunch
Food & beverages available onboard (optional lunch pack available)

A full day of rail travel action, with steam and diesel power.

Fares

Return Ex Auckland (Waiuku/Glenbrook/Pukekohe)

Adult $219 | Child (2-14) $179

Return Ex Hamilton (Rotokauri/Frankton)

Adult $189 | Child (2-14) $149

🥪Add a Lunch - Delivered on board

Pre-order a tasty lunch pack with a selection of sweet and savoury items, including a drink.

$35 per pack - order with your booking

Option 1 | Steam & Diesel to Waimarino/National Park

Steam to the Central Plateau!

Departing from Glenbrook, we stop in Pukekohe to pick up more passengers before we roll through the early morning Waikato countryside powered our 1965 built diesel locomotives. At Hamilton our steam locomotive Ab 608 "Passchendaele" takes over for the run south.

We stop for more passengers at Te Awamutu, Otorohanga and Te Kuiti before we make the run into the heart of the King Country and the Central Plateau. A brief stop in Taumarunui, brings back images of the limited expresses of old before the locomotive digs in for the big climb to the Top of the Spiral!

Arriving at Waimarino (National Park Railway Station) we have a short stop while our locomotive changes ends and takes on water before taking us back down the Spiral and back to Taumarunui. At Taumarunui, famous for its 10-minute railway refreshment room stops, you have about an hour to re-live the days of the Refreshment Stop in a slightly less hurried manner. Walk across the street to the shops and cafes while Ab 608 is serviced and turned for our return to Hamilton.

Once back in Hamilton our diesel locomotives will take us back home to Pukekohe and Glenbrook.

Once back on board the train food and refreshments are available, and our train is licensed. Our friendly onboard staff will travel through the train with refreshment trolleys throughout the journey.

Timetable

Outward

Glenbrook	dep.	5.00am
Pukekohe	dep.	5.30am
Hamilton (Frankton)	dep.	7.25am
Te Awamutu	dep.	7.50am
Otorohanga	dep.	8.10am
Te Kuiti	dep.	8.40am
Taumarunui	dep.	10.20am
National Park	arr.	11.40am

Inward

National Park	dep.	12.00pm
Taumarunui	arr.	1.40pm
Taumarunui	dep.	3.00pm
Te Kuiti	arr.	4.30pm
Otorohanga	arr.	5.00pm
Te Awamutu	arr.	5.25pm
Hamilton (Frankton)	arr.	5.50pm
Pukekohe	arr.	7.50pm
Glenbrook	arr.	8.20pm

Option 1 - Train to Waimarino/National Park and Return

Adult (14+):

@ $219.00 each

Child (2-14):

@ $179.00 each

Boarding Location:

Select up to X from the following options

Infant Traveling on Adult's Lap

Infant:

@ $0.00 each

Glenbrook Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Departing from the Short Loading Platform.
Access is via Glenbrook Station Road.
Free parking is available in the main carpark.

Pukekohe Station
Google Maps Link: View map

Platform to be advised.
Access is via Manukau Road or Station Road.
Free parking is available.
You can connect via AT Metro train services. Please see AT timetable info .

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.

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Book now for The Spiral Steam Spectacular | Sunday 20 September 2026

Your ticket includes return train travel. Tickets include train travel from Auckland/Hamilton to National Park and return. Optional lunch packs are available to add to your booking.