Friday April 19 2013

Final toot for the Kingston Flyer this month

New Zealand's famous vintage steam train, the Kingston Flyer, makes its last stop on April 30th, as the summer season comes to a close for winter maintenance.

Owner David Bryce has announced that the Kingston Flyer is on the market for sale with Tourism Property Brokers Ltd, offering another organization the opportunity to own and operate the Kingston Flyer.

“Operationally it’s a fantastic business and it has become extremely popular,” he said.

“However, I’ve invested a significant amount of money and committed my life to this venture over the past two years and for a number of reasons, including health reasons, I would like to step away and give someone else the opportunity to take the business forward from here.

“I feel I’ve achieved what I set out to do, to get the Kingston Flyer operational after a period of time spent sitting doing nothing, and I hope a new owner will be able to continue our good work.

“It’s disappointing for me to step away, but I firmly believe the Flyer still has a good future and is a good business investment for the right person or organisation.”

Mr Bryce said he will return to his home in Renwick, Marlborough, having lived the past twenty months in Kingston.

The Kingston Flyer operates out of the township of Kingston, near Queenstown on the south shore of Lake Wakatipu, and has attracted thousands of local and international visitors to the town, either to take the one-and-a-half-hour return trip to Fairlight or simply to have a look at the 130-year-old-plus railway.

Mr Bryce ‘rescued’ the Flyer in 2011, after it had been left in a state of disrepair. Its previous restoration was completed by New Zealand Railway in the 1970s and has been used since then, with previously very little effort having gone in to repairs to secure its longevity.

He said he and his staff had put “heart and soul” into the operation and experienced many successes.

“I’ve completed all the major locomotive repairs, investing heavily in restoration of the main locomotive AB795’s boiler, required to maintain its twice daily excursions for the next decade or two,” he said. “The train is in good nick, more efficient than it has ever been, and it remains a living icon of the region and of New Zealand’s rail history.

“When I bought the Flyer I invested in her for longevity, to ensure the future of our history for the community.”

During his tenure, the Flyer has been an integral part of two annual ‘Race the Train’ events and has hosted many successful ‘hold ups’ , where guests are ‘hijacked’ by horse-riding gun-blazing local ‘cowboys’ in a re-enactment of the famous ‘Crunchie Bar’ commercial.

He has initiated the Friends of the Flyer concession card providing cardholders with 50% discount on regular fares. Their support has contributed towards the Flyer’s maintenance costs and upkeep.

Since getting back on track, the Flyer has hosted guests from all around the world, from corporate and business groups, children’s groups, rest home tours to weddings. As a result it has generated high visitor numbers to the town.

Other success stories include raising $5500 for the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand at a special weekend where money was raised from ticket sales and other initiatives.

It was due to a stroke that Mr Bryce first bought the Flyer.

“I suffered a stroke in March 2011 that changed my life completely. It gave me a different perspective. When I saw the Kingston Flyer for sale, I made it my goal to secure ownership of the train and build the business for the community.”

He said he loved the train and the joy it brought to people, and was disappointed to have to move on.

ends

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