Gisborne people battle to keep their vintage railway visitor attraction operating

preserved NZR tank loco WA 165, a 2-6-2 from 1898.

As reported in this TVNZ News video, Gisborne people aren't accepting Messrs Joyce and Brownlee's axing of the Napier-Gisborne railway line.  One of the reasons is the appeal that their vintage steam hauled passenger train has to visitors - and as mentioned in a post a few months ago, having visitor attractions will attract visitors and the money that they spend in the city generally, not just on the train tickets, boosts overall city revenue.

But the train needs to be able to go somewhere interesting and thus it needs this line to remain open, even if KiwiRail bosses want trucks to take all the freight traffic.

More pics and info on the vintage operation is on the Gisborne City Vintage Rail website.