A group of Southland train enthusiasts are on a mission to restore a 19th century locomotive known as the lifeblood of the New Zealand railways.
The F150 steam locomotive was one of the F class of trains manufactured in Glasgow in the late 1800s. The model became one of the most widely used in New Zealand at the height of its popularity.
The F150 steam locomotive was one of the F class of trains manufactured in Glasgow in the late 1800s. (Source: 1News)
After it was retired in the 1950s, the heritage train was used as an Invercargill playground feature and toured all around the country before returning to the South Island.
Now, the Southern Steam Charitable Trust plans to return the train to working condition in a bid to boost regional tourism — and "out of mischief", said chairman Lindsay Buckingham.
The trust hopes the refurbished train will be able to offer journeys on the recently mothballed Ohai line, which was used to move coal from a local mine until it was retired in 2023, along with trips from Invercargill to Bluff and other events.
But the restoration work is proving challenging – some parts are so badly rusted they'll need to be rebuilt.
Buckingham said while it was a mammoth task ahead, "many hands make light work".
The trust thanked the locals who have turned out so far to offer their skills, discounts and help with the $1 million fundraising effort.
"These are challenging times at the moment but if we can get the funding in place, we do anticipate that we could have the project basically up and running in a year's time," Southern Steam Train trustee Roger Beattie said.
Buckingham said "every little bit helps".
"I've got one donator who puts in $10 every two weeks just as a regular thing," he said.
"We're obviously chasing some of the bigger funders around and continuing to make applications and we trust that we'll be successful and raise the balance."
The charity hopes the train will be ready in time for Christmas this year.
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