About the Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust
We at the Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust are dedicated to operating a rail park for the people of the district and visitors to our community.
Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust Background
The Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Trust – consists of a 10 acre Rail Heritage and Railway Theme Park, it runs adjacent to the State Highway 36 in the centre of Ngongotaha township, which is 5 kms north of Rotorua.
The Trust was established on the 12th Sept 1995 and over the years has accumulated just over $500,000 worth of assets which including buildings, heritage rail and rolling stock, restoration locos, rail and equipment. The Trust have rescued many historical steam and diesel Loco’s and wagons which are all in different degrees of restoration, most of which are located on site. Due to the high time and cost of restoration, many are on a lengthy restoration roster.
In November 2007 we gained our Rail License allowing us to operate rolling stock at the rail park.
Currently we have just over 85 local, national and international Friends of the Trust and Volunteers who have contributed thousands of volunteer hours assisting in the administration and restoration of our local and national heritage seven days per week. We also have local iwi, community groups, businesses and schools, volunteering large number of hours helping to develop and maintain the grounds..
The Rail Theme Park is open weekends and Public Holidays and through the week by appointment weather permitting. The Park offers train rides, bouncy loco’s, museum displays, operational model railway displays, and a hobby supply shop called Platform Three, all of which are enjoyed by young and old alike. We also offer to host birthday parties and other special event functions.
Funding is an ongoing issue for the Trust although it has several income streams all profits are sunk back into the cost of running the activities and overheads of such a large complex, the small surplus’s are allocated to the numerous high cost restoration projects. Understandably the restoration projects are heavily reliant on funding, grant applications, sponsorships and donations.
Up and Coming major funding Projects:
Price 110E Locomotive Restoration (Rotorua Heritage Loco).
Hudswell Clark Steam Locomotive Restoration.
Our email contact is: