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–>

Latest News

Additional Papers added to 2025 NZRLS Annual General Meeting Papers

Two papers have been added to the 2025 NZRLS Annual General Meeting Papers under the Members Menu.

These documents are the Audited (Financial) Performance Report for the year ended 30 June 2025 and the NZRLS Constitution V14. This is the new NZRLS constitution filed as part of the Society’s re-registration as an Incorporated Society.

 

 

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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  Dining cars were eventually superseded as a war time economy measure, with those lines reverting back to refreshment room operations.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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