445 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
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3 minutes ago

Cleaning

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Joe marsh

1 day ago

Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
  • 5% Second half of November
    5% Complete
  • 43.3% 1st December
    43.3% Complete
  • 16.7% A week before Christmas
    16.7% Complete
  • 33.5% Whenever you wish
    33.5% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
962 votes
2 hours ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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