In Search of the Kingston Flyer

Fairlight Station is on the Kingston-Garston Highway, just south of Kingston. It's the southern terminus for the historic Kingston Flyer. The building was originally the Otautau Railway Station and was transported here to Fairlight in 1996. You've no doubt seen it pictured in the TV One adverts, but sadly, as you can see in this photo, it's name has been removed from the front of the building and although grass around the back is mown, no-one appears to be caring for the building.

The station has been closed and unused for some years now. 

There's a large reserve adjacent to this building where self-contained RVs are allowed to stay overnight.

On our first night here, we woke up to this. There had been a sprinkling the day before, but after a frosty start to the day, the sun broke through to highlight this magnificent view.

And in the other direction, through the trees, more snow.

It's a short walk from here to the Mataura River where, apparently, trout can be found. Dave had to investigate the truth of the rumour and sure enough, hooked one, but then lost it. Just a small one, he said, but a trout nevertheless!

There is a suspension bridge over the river that is now part of a rail trail.

The railway line from here to Kingston is 13 kilometres long.

 We decided to drive to Kingston in search of the Kingston Flyer. Kingston is a small town on the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu.

Not far from the lake, we found several abandoned carriages.

And a little further along the track, the Kingston Station and Cafe. They've since closed, but appear to be in better repair than the carriages and Fairlight Station.

There's a picture of the Kingston Flyer in all its glory on the end of the building.

As we followed the tracks along, we eventually found it . . . the Kingston Flyer!

There are two 1920 locomotives—the second was close by.

Also more carriages, all sadly in a poor state. They've not been maintained and appear to be languishing unloved and neglected in this fenced-off yard.

The tracks also have suffered from lack of maintenance. It's been some time since trains travelled along here. I read that the locomotives and carriages with associated land and buildings were sold to an unknown person or persons early in 2017 with settlement later that year. One can only hope that someday they will be restored for all to enjoy, even if that be in a museum/display rather than as a working steam train.

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Ealing NZMCA

Ealing NZMCA Park is just off Highway 1 south of Ashburton, and not far from Geraldine. Another spacious grassy area, but no facilities other than clothes lines.

Between the highway and the park is a railway line.

And just before you take this right turn corner towards Ealing NZMCA Park, there's a glimpse of snow on the mountains in the distance. It was cold last night!

At the next corner, a tree has been planted as a memorial to a local hero—a 24-year-old Lancaster bomber pilot who died over Germany during World War II.

The entrance.

This building on the property that acts as a common room and a place to gather indoors was once a church. And yes, that's a gravestone to the left of the building.

Inside, you can see the built-in lectern in the corner.

This wonderful yellow bus caught my eye at Ealing. The next day we met the owners: Ruth & Nev.

As you know, we travel with Lucy. These caravanners had three small kittens and a bird. It's the first time I've seen anyone travelling with a bird.

Just over the fence, new neighbours.

And nearby, a paddock with a few sheep in it. These ones had plenty of wool on them—they looked a bit overdue for a shear! In spite of seeing sheep here and there, there seem to be a lot of dairy units around this region.

There we are! Towards the left . . . and Dave's off chatting to the man from the motorhome next door.

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