Take a steam train ride in the Bay | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

A steam train tourist attraction which failed to launch this summer due to the recession will make tracks at the new Kiwi Festival.

Kiwi 360 operator Graeme Crossman delayed the launch of the rides due to fewer cruise ships arriving at Port of Tauranga this summer.

The steam train excursion business, using trains from Auckland's Mainline Steam Heritage Trust, was to be aimed at cruise ship passengers.

But the steam train will still get an outing - the JA1275 is due to arrive in the Bay next month to operate as the Bay of Plenty Steamer at the festival.

Mr Crossman said while he still hoped to launch the train as a cruise ship shore excursion next summer, the festival was a great way to introduce it to the area.

"It's a forerunner of what is expected to be a semi-permanent presence of the Bay of Plenty Steamer during the summer, at least in cruise ship season."

The Steamer will arrive in Tauranga on February 27, the second day of the festival, and return on March 7, the day after the festival finishes.

Passengers will have the chance to travel to or from Auckland on the train, with a coach returning them to their place of origin.

During the festival, the train will operate four shuttles between Mount Maunganui and Te Puke on February 28 for the Fiesta in the Park at Te Puke. The train will also offer a coastal trip from Mount Maunganui to Matata and Kawerau and back, on March 6.

And Kiwi 360 plans to use the train on the days it is not committed to the festival.

Mr Crossman said it was rare to see a "huge monster train" such as the Steamer on the main trunk.

"It's really quite unique."

Although he himself was not a steam train "nut", Mr Crossman said the old steamers evoked nostalgia in many Kiwis.

"There are a large number of people who have a passion and enthusiasm for steam trains.

"They touched everybody who's lived here in New Zealand, because they were so much a part of our lives and childhoods.

"For older people to take younger people on a steam train, with the smell and the sounds, is something special. There's a certain romance to it."

The festival run would also act as a practice for next summer's cruise ship season, Mr Crossman said.

"The train journey is rare for a cruise line," he said.

"We'll take a steam train to the pier within 100m of the vessel, and passengers will come off board and we'll take them on a trip.

"The idea is we take them through the Bay of Plenty talking about the cities and countryside, kiwifruit and farming."