It’s rare to have to queue for a train but that’s what happened at The Plains Vintage Railway’s 50th anniversary weekend.
About 700 people rode the Dubs, rail car, JA1260 and K88 Kingston Flyer on Saturday and Sunday.
President Lorayne Oakley estimates more than 2000 people passed through the gates for the anniversary.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown, in his speech before he cut a shining gold ribbon on the Dubs – the first train to run at the Plains 50 years ago, acknowledged volunteers over the years for having given Ashburton such a wonderful asset.
Original Plains member Michael Ross, 70, and 15-year-old member Jack Tait cut an anniversary cake decorated with the railway’s logo.
Visitors enjoyed not only seeing and riding the trains, they also walked around the facility’s historic village, and viewed traction engines, vintage cars, and working displays of chaff cutting and a threshing mill. Young and old enjoyed a variety of activities, including stilts and
skipping ropes.
