The Kingston Flyer Line: A history
by Tony Hurst
50 pages in A5 landscape format, 40 photos of steam trains past and present, 17 in colour, plus two maps. Softcover. Weight: 114 grams
ISBN 0-908876-31-9 $12.95
Since its introduction (or more exactly re-introduction) in 1971 the Kingston Flyer tourist steam train has become a national icon and a major attraction for visitors in the Otago/Southland regions.
Today it runs over 14 km of track from Kingston on the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Fairlight, but originally it ran the 36 km from Kingston to Lumsden which was itself a hub for railway lines in the region, now gone.
Following the format of our popular books on the Johnsonville and Otago Central lines this book provides a history of the whole 140 km Invercargill to Kingston line with photos of trains that have run over it during its history plus of course a history with photos of the current Kingston Flyer. In all a feast for steam railway enthusiasts everywhere!
"a story told in an uncomplicated style that the author does so well supported by two maps and a selection of attractive illustrations" -NZ Railway Observer
"..good value for a lavishly illustrated short history of the former Invercargill to Kingston line, which survives as a short 14 km tourist attraction between Fairlight and Kingston. With a long history dating from an association with the gold rushes of the 1860s, the line became an important goods and stock connection for the widespread farming community until the transfer to road haulage led to closures, leaving a revived Kingston Flyer (1971) to pass through several crises before a reduction to the present short length of track. A centre colour portfolio includes a restored K92 - the original locomotive type used, trains in transit on sections since closed, a vintage car/van, a line-up of Kingston Flyer locomotives, a restored Model T railcar, and the present Kingston Flyer. Black and white photos contrast the working railway of the past with the introduction of buses and road haulage."
- Ron Tyrrell, Otago Daily Times
"....like the Cadbury Crunchie Bars TV commercial filmed on the branch - an easily digested, inexpensive sweet treat!" - NZ Railfan
