Press release from The Kingston Flyer
25 May 2012

The Kingston Flyer, definitely Good for Something

New Zealand’s most famous vintage steam train featured on the big screen last night (Thursday May 24) when the country’s first western movie premiered at Queenstown’s Reading Cinema.

The Kingston Flyer steam train features extensively in opening scenes of ‘Good for Nothing’, a movie that is fast achieving cult status and was filmed in Central Otago and other areas of the South Island in 2008.

Train owner David Bryce was among the Queenstown audience and said his locomotive looked “pretty amazing” up on the screen.

“Hearing the sounds of the train echo around the movie theatre gave me chills, it was amazing to see her look so good in what was clearly the perfect setting for the movie,” he said.

“It’s hard to believe that this is the first Western to be made in New Zealand, especially with the Kingston Flyer as the perfect prop.”

Mr Bryce bought The Kingston Flyer and revived it from its abandoned state twelve months ago. For the previous two years it had sat on its rails until Mr Bryce ‘stepped up to the plate’ to buy it off Trade Me and save it from overseas ownership and an uncertain future.

‘Good for Nothing’ film director Mike Wallis said The Kingston Flyer had a “sweeping romance” about it.

“The way the train chugs through that wonderful stretch of land transports you to another time and place in such a magical way, it's timeless,” he said.

"A while after filming 'Good for Nothing' we heard The Kingston Flyer was closing down, which would have been a massive loss to the area and the film industry.

“When we heard David was stepping in with his inspiring 'can do' Kiwi spirit it was a real thrill. I look forward to The Kingston Flyer chugging its way into the future."

Lead actress Inge Rademeyer said she had extremely fond memories of The Kingston Flyer when they were filming.

“It’s amazing that we have such an iconic historical train in New Zealand that can be experienced today,” she said. “I think The Kingston Flyer is a fantastic part of the landscape and atmosphere of Southland and Otago.

“It would have been a real pity to lose such an important piece of history, not just for the film industry, but for all the visitors, especially the kids, who get so much enjoyment out of it. Our lead actor Cohen's son Cruz, who is just three years old, loves the movie his dad’s in because of the train. He collects all the press clippings of The Kingston Flyer.”

Mr Bryce said it was fantastic to meet Mr Wallis and Ms Rademeyer in person and see that they were equally as passionate about the “old girl” as he was.

“The appeal of the magnificent Kingston Flyer is universal,” he said. “It meant a lot to me to meet the creators of the movie, because they’re such a fantastic advocate of Central Otago and of course my train.

“I wish them all the very best and hope one day they’ll come back to make another movie using the locomotive.”

The Kingston Flyer is operating private charters and special events until the 2012/2013 season recommences on September 29 2012 with two trips a day. It will ‘steam up’ for various private charters during winter and will host its first ever Queenstown Winter Festival event, the Kingston Flyer Steam Powered Party, on July 1.

About The Kingston Flyer
The Kingston Flyer is New Zealand's famous vintage steam train set in the spectacular mountain scenery of the Queenstown Lakes District. When gold was discovered in the Wakatipu district in 1862 the need to connect the district by steamships and steam trains became apparent. The railway line at last reached Kingston on July 10, 1878 and a public holiday was declared by Queenstown Borough and Lake County Councils.

The express passenger steam train known as "The Flyer" serviced Kingston-Gore on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Kingston-Invercargill on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the 1890's. During peak holiday periods she also carried passengers from Dunedin to Kingston to meet up with Lake Wakatipu steamboats connecting with the popular holiday destination of Queenstown.

The service was replaced by buses and passenger numbers declined through the 1950's. The final Kingston Flyer operated during the Easter holiday of 1957. Trains continued to run on the Waimea Plains Railway until 31 March 1971.

The New Zealand Government came up with a plan to save the historic steam train and funded its restoration in 1971. The atmosphere of the 1920's was retained and remains today featuring polished brass and steel work, white tyres, red fluted side rods, and glossy black paintwork.

The Kingston Flyer heritage service between Kingston and Lumsden continued until 1979. Today the service covers a 14km stretch of track between Kingston and Fairlight. The rails are the originals laid in 1878 but many of the 19,360 sleepers have been replaced

The driving force and face of The Kingston Flyer was Russell Glendinning who is credited with saving and restoring the Flyer back in the 1970's. This was acknowledged when he received an MBE in 1975 New Year Honours. Russell’s career began at age 14 in Dunedin in 1953. His apprenticeship took 7 years. In 1964 he became a First Class Driver and in 1969 a Special Class Driver. Russell's passion and energy continues to this day, he still occasionally drives the train, shines the brass and can be seen regularly out maintaining the track.

In 2009 the company that previously owned the Kingston Flyer went into receivership with the Flyer’s future uncertain until it was bought by David Bryce in 2011.

© Scoop Media