Railway Enthusiasts Society

[citation needed] In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the end of steam traction provided the opportunity to run locomotives from their bases to Auckland, for preservation as part of the Society's Glenbrook Vintage Railway project.

In 1969 small WW class locomotive 480 ran a rail tour of the Midland Line from Greymouth to Christchurch, then up the Main North Line from Christchurch to Picton, before crossing the Cook Strait and up the North Island Main Trunk from Wellington to Auckland.

In 1981 and 1986, the Society operated steam-hauled trains with Glenbrook Vintage Railway's Mallet locomotive and WW 480 along Quay Street in Auckland as part of tourism promotions.

In co-operation with Steam Incorporated, the Society ran a special Auckland-Wellington rail tour, pulled by JA 1250 "Diana" and KA 945.

[citation needed] In 1991, the Society operated a European and British Rail tour, organised by John Stitchbury.

[citation needed] On the Labour Weekend 1993, the Society ran the last steam-hauled train on the Onehunga Branch, operated with WW 480.

In early October, it was certified to run on mainline rails, and hauled the "Western Leader Flyer" between Avondale and Waitakere in coordination with Henderson's 150th anniversary celebrations.

[citation needed] In 1995, a South Island rail tour visited all the railway lines available to passenger charter.

[citation needed] In 1998, with C 847 returned to the Hutt Valley, and JA 1250 not ready to re-enter service, the Society hired J 1234 from Steam Incorporated.

J 1234 has also been used on Glenbrook Vintage Railway services, including the popular Thomas Weekends where it carries the title "Wally the Wellington Engine".

[citation needed] The Whangamomona Republic Day trains run from Auckland, Hamilton and Palmerston North.

The fifteen carriage train operated for the 2005 event was featured in Marcus Lush's "Off the Rails" television series.