01/06/2026
🚂😍 THANKS TO YOU ALL ON OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY & KING'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND 😍🚂
It's hard to believe that yesterday was Manukau Live Steamers 40th Anniversary since the official opening of the Hill & Tunnel track, which was opened on Saturday 31st May, 1986.
On that day in 1986, Living Doll by Cliff Richards and The Young Ones was the #1 Hit in New Zealand. Diana Ross was right there with her hit, Chain Reaction, and The Bangles were having a Manic Monday. The fourth Labour Government led by David Lange was, under his Finance Minister Roger Douglas, preparing to launch GST in New Zealand in October.
Anne Massey was the driving force to start the club with a sizeable donation back in 1981. She is why our station is called Massey Junction. Massey Road in Mangere is also named after her family.
After much effort by many, it was Grand Opening Day. The Mayor of Manukau City, Sir Barry Curtis (who sadly passed away on March 30, 2026) was in attendance. Over the subsequent years, many people have been a part of the club. Not just on days that trains run, but the working bees and track maintenance that is required to keep the club running.
There are too many to mention, but they all have one theme in common: Great people plant trees that provide shade for future generations. In our case, the "trees" are the club-owned locomotives, the track and infrastructure like the bridges, the tunnel, and our clubrooms. Many, many club members have left us over the years, but their spirits live on in the joy and excitement that is seen on every fine Sunday (and across special events like King's Birthday weekend) between 11 AM and 3 PM.
If you've come along for some miniature train rides across this King's Birthday weekend, or if you've come along on any other weekend, we thank you for coming along and enjoying our range of miniature locomotives and their carriages. The joy that we bring to you is mutual, although there are some who have a really high level of fizz, which is even more awesome to see, whether it's a four-year old excited at seeing a little steam train for the first time or someone with silver in their hair and gold in their hearts sharing a bygone era with those whom they love and cherish.
We've made it through 40 years, and here's to the next 40 years, and thanks to you. Sir Peter Charles Leitch - The Mad Butcher - called us "Auckland's best-kept secret"! Please do us a favour and don't keep us as your own little secret.
Tell a few people, bring them along, share this post, and we will see you again soon for more miniature train ride adventures on the next fine Sunday. Chuffed is an understatement.
