Lifesize train set for sale - New Zealand

'Lifesize train set' for sale in New Zealand

It's the ultimate big boy's toy: a lifesize train set is being offered for sale on a New Zealand auction website.

The Flyer began life in the 1890s as a standard passenger train 

By Paul Chapman in Wellington 7:00AM BST 30 Mar 2011

With the 120-year-old steam locomotive come two beautifully wood-panelled passenger carriages, a kitchen van, several goods wagons, almost nine miles of track, a pub, and a railway station.

The Kingston Flyer has languished in an uncovered yard, 25 miles from the South Island adventure tourism capital of Queenstown, since its last owners went into receivership in November 2009.

Now the company's mortgagees are seeking offers for the once popular tourist attraction through the Trade Me website.

The Flyer began life in the 1890s as a standard passenger train running between Kingston, which nestles at the foot of the Southern Alps, and the town of Gore, then on to the southern port of Invercargill.

Hauled by a New Zealand-built AB Pacific Class locomotive, the train completed its last scheduled service in 1957, and the line was later closed.

Thanks to steam preservation enthusiasts, in 1971 the Flyer was reborn as a vintage tourist attraction on the short stretch of branch line that had survived between Kingston and Fairlight.

Steaming majestically through picturesque scenery, the train drew thousands of visitors a year and has been used as a backdrop for everything from television commercials to Bollywood films.

Kingston Acquisitions, the last owners, who went into receivership owing NZ$4.7 million (£2.2 million), had ambitious plans to develop a tourist resort on land beside the track, complete with hotels and luxury villas.

Bob Muir, who is handling the sale for Christchurch-based estate agents Ray White, told the Telegraph: "The Flyer is a much-loved part of New Zealand's railway history, and the locals are just willing someone to come along and get it going again.

"This could be a great business opportunity and we have already had a lot of interest, with calls from around the world."

The price? Subject to negotiation but, if you're thinking of making an offer, in 2008 the train alone was valued at NZ$950,000 (£449,000).