Visit the Waimea Plains Railway in Southland

Waimea Plains Railway Trust was established in 1998 to restore and recreate a small part of the historic, once privately owned Waimea Plains Railway, which opened in 1880 and operated from Gore to Elbow (Lumsden). The design of the Heritage yard is to embody at least one of every type of Rail Structure/Fixture in use, from the 1880’s through to the early 1900’s.  This resulted in there being in excess of 30 items to establish in an excact predetermined position. Then these structures in turn become connected with lengths of straight rail, resulting in a complex fully operational railway yard. This facility is adjacent to the Croydon Aviation Museum and will provide a complimentary visitor experience.

When is the Railway Centre open?

You’re in luck; the centre is open every day of the week! The Waimea Plains Railway Centre is open from 10:00 to 15:00 seven days a week.

As the Waimea Plains Railway was being built by a private company, they had the perogative of deciding the name for the stations and also to survey where future settlements could be established.  Mandeville was the first of these settlements.  Before the railway arrived, there was only a hotel in the area, later to be named the Railway Hotel, a store soon followed and before long another country town had started.

  • Monday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Tuesday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Wednesday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Thursday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Friday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Saturday – 10:00 to 15:00
  • Sunday – 10:00 to 15:00