867 days ago

The train hidden in the Waitākere Ranges - and the fight to bring it back

Melanie Earley Reporter from Western Leader

Kia ora neighbours, a tourist train nestled inside the Waitākere ranges has been rusting away for nearly a decade – but a group of volunteers hopes to get it running again.

The Rainforest Express was a miniature railway that ran 6km through the ranges from Jacobson's Depot on Scenic Drive to the Upper Nihotupu Dam, one of the main water supply reservoirs in West Auckland.

At the end of 2014 the express was closed after a geological report found there were 20 at-risk sites across the tramlines, with nine of those posing a “significant” risk to public safety.

Since then the rainforest express and its tramlines have been “rusting away”, Waitākere ward councillor Ken Turner said.

Read the full story below.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

New Year, New Brain Teaser! 🧠🤓

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Rachel goes to the supermarket and buys 10 tomatoes 🍅
Unfortunately, on the way back home, all but 9 get ruined. How many tomatoes are left in a good condition?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

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A
20 hours ago

Korowai

Amy-Grace from Kelston

Does anybody know much about korowai, and if there are any community classes , preferably because I want to know if I can make my own for my wedding if possible or can these only be made by someone else???

6 hours ago

Welcome Linux Lovers & OS Adventurers, The West Auckland LinUX New Zealots Network will be Convening @ 6.30 PM This Evening, 15th Jan 2026 @

Kevin from Henderson

ZEAL West, 20 Alderman Dr, Henderson, it's the Front Building off the Roundabout 2 West Wave.
Free Help available installing or using Linux. C yoU there... ;-)K