Explore Glenbrook Station
Start at the heritage station precinct with the Ticket Office, Refreshment Rooms, Souvenir Shop, playground, picnic area, restored railway buildings and locomotive turntable.
Glenbrook to Waiuku & return
Steam Train Experience
Hear the whistle, smell the steam and step back into the golden age of rail travel aboard our lovingly restored heritage train.
Steam hauled
A classic heritage railway experience from Glenbrook.
Approx. 70 minutes
Return journey from Glenbrook to Waiuku and back.
Four departures
10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm on selected dates.
Choose your carriage
Seating is not allocated on the Steam Train Experience.
2026 / 2027 Season
Steam Train operating dates
Selected weekends & public holidays.
Oct
24, 25, 26
Nov
8, 22
Dec
27, 28
Jan
1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 17, 24, 30, 31
Feb
1, 28
Mar
14
Apr
11, 24, 25, 26
May
9, 23
Jun
5, 6, 7
A living railway experience
The magic starts before the train even leaves.
A distant whistle heralds the arrival of the steam train. As it glides into Glenbrook Station, watch the signals change, the crew prepare the locomotive and the Guard complete the brake test before inviting passengers aboard.
Take time to explore the station precinct, visit the Refreshment Rooms and Souvenir Shop, enjoy the playground and picnic area, or watch the locomotive being turned when a turntable display is operating. Our volunteers are part of the experience too — feel free to ask questions about the railway, train or locomotive.
Not just a train ride — a step back in time.
Historic station surroundings, vintage railway atmosphere and the unmistakable sound of steam.
Board a heritage train
Choose a carriage, settle into the restored interior and listen for the Guard's whistle before the steam locomotive gets the train underway.
Make a day of it
Ride to Waiuku and return, explore the station precinct between trains, and — when operating — enjoy the motorised or hand-powered railway jiggers.
The heritage railway runs from Glenbrook through the countryside and Pukeoware Workshops to Victoria Avenue Station in Waiuku.
Glenbrook to Waiuku
Your journey behind steam
After settling into one of our lovingly restored wood-panelled or open-air carriages, the Guard's whistle sounds and the locomotive pulls away from Glenbrook. The railway drops through farmland and a tree-lined cutting towards Morley Road, passing the water tank and windmill beside the Waitangi Stream.
Glenbrook Station
Depart the heritage station precinct behind steam.
Morley Road & Waitangi Stream
Descend through farmland and pass the railway's water tank and windmill.
Pukeoware Workshops & Goddard Grade
See heritage rolling stock before the locomotive works hard on the steep 1-in-42 climb.
Victoria Avenue, Waiuku
Arrive above Lion's Lake after sweeping curves and the historic Brights Road arch bridge.
Beyond Pukeoware Workshops, listen as the beat of the locomotive changes while it tackles the 1-in-42 Goddard Grade. The line then crosses the countryside towards Waiuku, passing beneath several bridges before descending to Victoria Avenue Station above Lion's Lake.
📸 A steam-powered photo opportunity
On the return journey, the train stops for a special photo opportunity where passengers can alight and experience the sight and sound of a steam train passing by.
See it for yourself
Steam, scenery and the railway atmosphere
From the platform at Glenbrook to the open countryside, the Steam Train Experience is as much about the sights and sounds along the way as the destination.
Up close with steam
Open-air carriages put you close to the sights, sounds and unmistakable atmosphere of a working steam locomotive.
Glenbrook Station comes alive
Take in the heritage station precinct, meet our volunteers and enjoy the atmosphere before your train departs.
Through the countryside
Steam through rolling farmland on the historic Waiuku Branch as the train makes its way towards Waiuku.
The view from the train
Settle in, watch the countryside roll past and enjoy rail travel at a gentler pace.
A complete heritage railway experience
Steam locomotives, restored carriages, station life and the people who bring the railway to life.
Victoria Avenue Station
Arriving in historic Waiuku
At Victoria Avenue the platform is shorter than the train, so please follow the Guard's instructions and alight only from the advised carriages. While stopped, the locomotive crew will run the engine around the train ready for the return journey — another excellent chance for photos.
You can also choose to leave the train here, explore Waiuku's shops and places to eat, then return to Glenbrook on a later service.
Please note: the last train from Victoria Avenue to Glenbrook departs at 3:00pm.
Make your stop part of the day and discover places to eat, shop and explore around Waiuku.
Explore Waiuku TownRemember to leave enough time to return to Victoria Avenue Station for your chosen train.
Plan your visit
Steam Train Experience timetable
Choose from four departures on selected operating dates. Each card shows the full standard timetable for that service, including the Waiuku stop, photo stop and return arrival at Glenbrook.
Train 1
10:00am departure
Depart Glenbrook10:00am
Victoria Ave, Waiuku10:20–10:30am
Photo stop10:35–10:50am
Arrive Glenbrook11:10am
Train 2
11:30am departure
Depart Glenbrook11:30am
Victoria Ave, Waiuku11:50am–12:00pm
Photo stop12:05–12:20pm
Arrive Glenbrook12:40pm
Train 3
1:00pm departure
Depart Glenbrook1:00pm
Victoria Ave, Waiuku1:20–1:30pm
Photo stop1:35–1:50pm
Arrive Glenbrook2:10pm
Train 4
2:30pm departure
Depart Glenbrook2:30pm
Victoria Ave, Waiuku2:50–3:00pm
Photo stop3:05–3:20pm
Arrive Glenbrook3:40pm
Make the journey extra special
Why not travel First Class?
Enjoy the same steam-hauled journey to Waiuku from the comfort of our luxuriously appointed First Class Parlour Carriage. Settle into comfortable seating, step out onto the open-air observation balcony and enjoy high-tea style refreshments served during your journey.
- Travel in our premium First Class Parlour Carriage
- Comfortable seating and beautifully restored wooden interior
- Open-air observation balcony with close-up views of the steam locomotive
- Complimentary high-tea style refreshments, tea, coffee and cold non-alcoholic drinks
- Limited seating for a more intimate railway experience
Good to know
Visitor information
Everything you need for an easy visit to Glenbrook and a comfortable journey onboard.
At Glenbrook Station
Enter the main car park from Glenbrook Station Road through the white wooden gates. Accessible parking is available behind the station building from Farm Park Road.
Under the station veranda you will find the Ticket Office, Refreshment Rooms and Souvenir Shop. The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, ice creams, snacks and a selection of hot and cold food.
Fully accessible toilets and baby-change facilities are available at Glenbrook Station.
Seating & moving through the train
Seating is not allocated. You may choose your carriage and are free to move between carriages during the journey.
Please supervise children closely when moving between carriages and do not allow children to stand on seats or lean out of windows. When opening windows, ensure both catches are engaged.
Accessibility, wheelchairs & pushchairs
The train can be accessed by ramp and our volunteers will be happy to assist. Wheelchairs can be accommodated in selected carriages; please speak with train or station staff for assistance.
Pushchairs may not be able to travel on every train because of available space and safety requirements, but storage may be available at Glenbrook Station.
Toilets & luggage
There are no toilets onboard the Steam Train Experience or at Victoria Avenue Station. Please use the toilets at Glenbrook Station before boarding.
Items that cannot fit safely in the luggage racks or in front of you — including bicycles — should be stowed in the Guard's van. Please speak with train staff.
Jiggers & activities at the station
While the train is away, motorised or hand-powered jiggers may also be operating. These small rail carts were once used by track maintenance crews and are a fun way to add another railway experience to your visit.
Tickets, guidebooks & souvenirs
At the Ticket Office you can purchase or redeem an online booking for an old-style cardboard souvenir ticket. A souvenir information leaflet with timetable and journey information is also available.
The Souvenir Shop stocks the GVR guidebook, railway books and magazines, toys, apparel and other railway souvenirs.
All aboard
Relive the sights, sounds and atmosphere of New Zealand’s railway past.
Choose an operating day, book your train and experience the Glenbrook Vintage Railway from the platform to the footplate soundtrack of a working steam locomotive.