Welcome to the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society

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The Society was formed in 1944 by enthusiasts interested in the then New Zealand Railways. Membership is open to all with an interest in the New Zealand Railway system both old and new. Member groups meet in most cities where talks, films, and other activities can be enjoyed. Read more–>

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New book – Available Now!

Refreshment on Rail

New Zealand Railways 1878-1950

The refreshment branch of New Zealand Railways was a significant undertaking. Over many years the department made available refreshment room leases throughout the railway system, some being replaced when NZR commenced dining car operation on key services.  Dining cars were eventually superseded as a war time economy measure, with those lines reverting back to refreshment room operations.  These consisted of either counter refreshment rooms or sit-down dining rooms, providing travellers nourishment at all hours of the day and night.  Eventually running all rooms themselves, the food sometimes came under vicious attack by the patrons, with head office sometimes the recipients of terse letters or returned food! Author Alison McKee also covers various individual refreshment rooms, railway bookstall operations, foods favoured and shunned by patrons, railway picnics, special occasions, railway crockery, hostess service, sale of liquor, royal tour dining, rationing, footplate food, and numerous recipes of the era.

253×203 mm portrait format, 66 black and white photographs, 19 black and white and 15 colour documents, 102 pages, soft bound.

Members Price:                     NZ $47.00      AU $61.00  RoW $77.00

Non Members Price:             NZ $55.00     AU$69.00   RoW $85.00

 

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Step Back in Time – Article 22

This weeks article is from the New Zealand Railway Observer Volume 28 , No 1  –  Autumn/Winter 1971 and is:

The New Marshalling Yard at Te Rapa – First in New Zealand with Retarders

Article 22, Volume 28, No 1

Each week a new Article from early issues of the New Zealand Railway Observers will be featured. Previous articles can still be viewed via the Publications Tab and then Historical NZRO Articles (the bottom option under this tab).

 

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