New Zealand Local Weather Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Suezy on March 26, 2012, 10:37:59 PM
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All aboard the Kingston Flyer
Famous steam train set to keep on puffing
Last updated 16:42 26/03/2012
IN ACTION: The Kingston Flyer steams up the line.
Rebuilding a business around a vintage steam train, the Kingston Flyer, is not new owner David Bryce's first major challenge in recent times.
Evoking a bygone era with brass shined, leather polished and fires stoked, the train is ready for the inaugural Kingston Flyer Weekend, March 31 to April 1.
The weekend is particularly poignant for the people of Kingston, a town (population 200) on the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu in the Queenstown Lakes District, because they nearly lost their train forever after the previous owner suffered financial failure in 2009.
"We are absolutely delighted to know that this beautiful train will continue to underpin our tiny tourism industry and will be seen puffing its way between Kingston and Fairlight, with the mountains behind it, as it has done for more than 130 years," said Annette Dalziel, of the Kingston Community Association.
"This old steam train is a vital and integral part of our community and we are very keen to support the new owners in keeping it going."
For new owner David Bryce, a 53-year-old Marlborough winegrower originally from Southland, rebuilding a business around the Flyer is not the first major challenge he has faced in recent times.
"I suffered a stroke in March 2011 that changed my life completely. It gave me perspective," he said.
"I had to struggle to rehabilitate myself physically and mentally, and did so by setting small goals.
"When I saw the Kingston Flyer for sale on Trade Me, I made it my goal to secure ownership of the train and build the business for the community. So that's what I'm doing."
Now supportive of the idea of a train in the family, his children help out in any way they can.
"When I'm on that train or at the station, I love seeing the joy on people's faces," Bryce said.
"It's not only the kids; people of all ages just love it. When I was on the locomotive for the first time, it was very emotional and people kept coming up to me and patting me on the back and thanking me,'' he said.
"Kingston has an amazing energy about it and I want people to come spend time here and experience this amazing train. It's part of New Zealand's history."
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AT THE HELM: New Kingston Flyer owner David Bryce.