Steam Incorporated is in Whanganui for the Vintage Weekend 2025
We take a look at some train excursions as well as other events happening over the 4 days.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro - Friday - Train arrives Whanganui
00:25 - Vintage Radio Museum
00:35 - Waimere Paddle Steamer - Jazz Cruise
00:51 - Saturday - Train moves to Eastown
01:40 - Kai Iwi Trekker
04:38 - Main Street Events
05:49 - Ruatangata Wanderer
08:54 - Classic Cruise
09:16 - Train returns from Marton
09:41 - Sunday - Train leaves for Feilding
11:38 - Burma Rally
12:01 - Air show
13:21 - Wheels in Whanganui
13:47 - Train heads home
14:20 - Motor Vessel Wairua
14:54 - Whanganui Jockey Club
15:15 - Steam Rail Whanganui
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Its Friday the 17th of January 2025 and DC4818 and JA 1271 have just arrived at Whanganui’s Taupo Quay for the Whanganui Vintage Weekend
Its four days of vintage themed events and a number of rail excursions by steam incorporated
Kicking off the vintage theme we took a look at the vintage radio museum, with a large collection of radios carefully restored with around half of the collection in working order
The Waimere paddle steamer is on a Jazz cruise up the river
For 2 hours passengers enjoyed good music, food and drink
Saturday the 18th and the train is moved from Taupo Quay to Eastown to begin todays excursions
First up is the Kai Iwi trekker this trip takes passengers about 18km to the north west
Arriving at Kai Iwi the DC takes the lead back to Whanganui
Whanganui’s main street has been closed off and is lined with vintage and classic cars
Theres Live music and dancing, Motorbikes and tractors and rides to be had on steam traction engines big and small
And don't forget the tram and the double decker bus
Back at easttown the train is about to depart on the Ruatangata wanderer this trip takes passengers 22km to the south east
Arrving at Ruatangata the JA will take the lead on the return
Back in Easttown the train will soon depart for Marton but we stayed in town to catch a few cars on the Classic Cruise
This cruise around town vists rest homes and raises money for the Whanganui Cancer Society
The train returns from Marton and will spend the night at taupo quay
Sunday the 19th the train is prepared for an excursion to Feilding
While the train heads off to Feilding we stay in town to see the Burma Rally get under way
This event is for the members of the Vintage Car Club and takes in the sights of the greater Whanganui district and covers around 160km
Out at Whanganui Airport the Aero club is having an air show , a chance to get up close to vintage and modern aircraft
Another event is Wheels in Whanganui with trucks and cars on display to raise money for St Johns
The train has already returned from Feilding and we catch it now leaving Whanganui to head back home to Paekakariki
Monday the 20th and we take a river cruise on the Motor Vessel Wairua
Built in london in 1904 she spent 34 years working on the river before she was left to deteriorate and eventually sunk into the rivers mud, she was saved in 1987 and spent 19 years being restored back to working order
Its Vintage race day at the Whanganui Jockey Club
It is New Zealands oldest having been operating since 1848
Down at Taupo quay Steam Rail Whanganui has its workshop open, to view their collection of locomotives and rolling stock under restoration
and they also offered jigger rides
Its has been a great vintage weekend in Whanganui and we look forward to the next one.