RailCruising
Not many people are lucky enough to have ridden in the cab of a locomotive but it’s this kind of unique experience that inspired RailCruising. You can experience rail like never before. Imagine sitting in your own rail car, with nothing ahead of you but the unobstructed curve of the rail stretching out into the distance, the scenery drifting by and the clickety-clack of the rail beneath you.
Experience the world's first RailCruising operation based in Rotorua, New Zealand. Groups of Rail Cars spaced well apart, travel together in one direction from Ngongotaha Station or Mamaku Railway Station.
At their destination (Either Mamaku Railway Station, Tarukenga, or Ngongotaha Station), Rail Cars are then turned and head back to their starting Station. One-way trips between Ngongotaha Station and Mamaku Railway Station are also available on demand.
Cruising along at 20km/hr, you can listen to the audio tour and discover a unique piece of New Zealand railway history.
The Rotorua Railway was first planned in 1877 to bring tourists to view the Pink and White Terraces, the 8th wonder of the world. The line fell short of Rotorua by 49km when in 1886 Mt Tarawera erupted burying the Terraces. The line was finally completed into Rotorua in April 1894.
Now 120 years later, after remaining used for 13 years and following an immense amount of hard work, the line is once again carrying tourists.
This is the ultimate way to experience a railway.