‘Friends of the Flyer' launchedNew Zealanders are being invited to become ‘friends' of the famous Kingston Flyer to ensure the steam train is around for future generations to enjoy. Train lovers can buy a Friends of the Flyer card for $65 to support on-going restoration and maintenance of the train set. The card entitles holders to a 50% discount on up to 10 regular fares, and complimentary tea and coffee on board the train. The card is fully transferrable to friends and families, has no expiry date and all proceeds will support the Flyer's ongoing restoration. Operating since the 1878, the Kingston Flyer was nearly lost when previous owners uffered financial failure in 2009. Two years later Mr Bryce, a winegrower From Marlborough who was born just down the road from Kingston, took over ownership. My Bryce's first season as operator of the Kingston Flyer saw over 16,000 passengers enjoying the train ride. The Kingston Flyer has been hibernating this winter while a planned maintenance verhaul has been carried out. Part of the maintenance works included a major ‘strip down' of the boiler of locomotive AB795 to secure its reliability for decades to come, with AB778 scheduled for the same maintenance overhaul in three months' time. The train is now primed and ready for the opening of the 2012/13 season, launching in time for the New Zealand school holidays on 29SEP and running until 29APR13.
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