Steam icons of Lake Wakatipu in historic reunion

Visitors to the township of Kingston this Thursday (October 18) are in for a real treat as the ‘Lady of the Lake’ and famous Kingston Flyer steam train have an historic reunion.

Thursday marks the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the TSS Earnslaw from Kingston to Queenstown and ties in with week-long celebrations taking place in the region.

The Kingston Flyer brought the Earnslaw to Kingston by rail after it was originally built in Dunedin, disassembled, transported by rail, assembled again in Kingston and launched on October 18, 1912.

The first sailing re-enactment cruise of the TSS Earnslaw will arrive in Kingston at 11am with packages available enabling guests to travel on the Earnslaw and the Flyer.

Passengers have options to travel on the TSS Earnslaw and the Flyer in either direction, with an additional option for bus travel one way or the other. 

Kingston Flyer owner David Bryce said it was “remarkable” to be part of such a historic event and invited ‘one and all’ to ride the train to mark the occasion.

“Tickets are still available for any of the three train rides that we have operating on the day – we’ve put on an additional trip to cater for the occasion,” he said. “The train will operate at 9.30am, 12pm and 2pm with package options timed to allow Earnslaw passengers to enjoy the train trip and vice versa.”

Mr Bryce said visitors were encouraged to make a day of it and many were aiming to dress in period costume.

“It’s also a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some of the delights in the revamped Flyer Café with new Chef Andy Lisseman’s home-made treats,” he said.

“Andy has been with us for almost six weeks now and is consistently producing delicious food including home-made baked goods for morning and afternoon tea as well as fantastic lunch options.

“People should head to Kingston and enjoy a once-in-a-century historic occasion for Kingston, the TSS Earnslaw and of course the Kingston Flyer.”

For those who can’t make Thursday’s special celebrations, the Kingston Flyer is open every day over the long weekend.

More information about the Kingston Flyer train journeys on Thursday October 18:

Earnslaw Centennial journey to Kingston
Thursday October 18th 2012
The first sailing re-enactment cruise of the TSS Earnslaw will be arriving in Kingston at 11am on Thursday 18th October 2012. Tickets are still available for train rides on any one of three return journeys on the Kingston Flyer Vintage Steam Train scheduled especially to tie in with the arrival and departure of the Earnslaw in Kingston.

The Kingston Flyer will depart Kingston Railway Station at 9:30am, 12pm and 2pm. Passengers are welcome to dress up in keeping with 1900's theme.

For more information and bookings go to: www.kingstonflyer.co.nz

For more information and bookings on the TSS Earnslaw go to: http://www.tssearnslaw.co.nz/tss-earnslaw/Re-enactment_Cruise/