New Owner Stoked Over Kingston Flyer BuyThe Marlborough Express reports that a local businessman David Bryce has bought the Kingston Flyer steam train and wants to get it back on the tracks by late October. He told the paper he had reached an agreement to buy the vintage steam train from the receiver of previous owner Kingston Aquisitions Ltd. The deal involves two steam locomotives, the vintage carriages, the Kingston Tavern, storage sheds, the 14km section of track to Fairlight, six residential lots and other development land in the village, totalling about 80 hectares. He has appointed former long-time Flyer manager Russell Glendinning as general operations manager. Mr Bryce told the paper some former Kingston Flyer staff were moving back to town to work on the train and that he planned to open the Kingston Tavern, the hub of the town, as soon as possible. Among his other plans are the establishment of a wine label in association with the Kingston Flyer trademark. He wants to set up a heritage trust, with a percentage of the wine profits going to the trust to restore and preserve the engines. Mr Bryce told The Marlborough Express he also plans to support the proposed Around the Mountains Rail Trail cycle track from Queenstown. The 175km trail is designed to follow the railway line from Kingston and along the banks of the Oreti River towards Lumsden. The development could see features such as a bus depot, car parks, food outlets, cycle hire shops and more accommodation spring up around Kingston. Pounamu Apartments will be well placed to accommodate those wanting to be within walking distance to central Queenstown.
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