Daffodil Express 2024

Carterton’s Daffodil Festival in the early Spring creates a great day out for the whole family. Why not travel there in style by a heritage steam train, let Steam Incorporated take the stress out of travel as you take the train to the ‘Rapa.

Hauled by Ja 1271 and our heritage Da class diesel locomotives, at the front of a lengthy string of heritage passenger carriages, take a glimpse into the bygone era of train travel as we clear the congestion of Wellington, racing through the suburbs of Petone, Lower Hutt & Upper Hutt.

Immerse yourselves in 15 minutes of darkness as the train climbs, crests and then descends through the Rimutaka tunnel! This portion of the journey, the train is lead by a pair of heritage diesel locomotives whilst traversing the 8.8km tunnel. Upon arriving into Featherston, '71 is fitted back to the front of the train, and is left to work its way up the Wairarapa line under a full head of steam.

Located in the heart of the Wairarapa, Carterton’s popular Daffodil Festival offers an abundance of activities ranging from the famous Daffodil picking at Middlerun Farm, markets along High and Holloway Streets, the Big Wai Art sale in the events Centre, Wairarapa Produce Tasting Area, and loads more family fun.

Shuttle buses will run from the town centre to the daffodil fields where you can pick your own daffodils for $4 that is a fundraiser for St John & Plunket. While stocks last! The bus transfer is free.

As the afternoon sun slowly dips behind the hills, listen to the exhaust beat of our Ja as it hauls our huge 400 tonne train back to Featherston. As in the morning, our ‘helpers’ are attached for the Rimutaka tunnel portion of the journey.

After departing from Upper Hutt, the race is on as we slide in with suburban services for the run back into Wellington, calling at Waterloo and Petone. Whilst the day may be over upon arriving at Wellington’s Platform 9, the memories of the day live on!

Fares
Adult - $115
Child (2-12yrs) - $70
Infant - Free

Please note that if booking online, our booking system does add on a 5% booking fee to the above fares. Steam Incorporated does not see this revenue.