The steam engine of Glenbrook Vintage Railway takes you back in time. Travelers are given the opportunity of traveling in a cattle car that is open or in a closed carriage. The latter is more comfortable. Glenbrook Vintage Railway offers travelers a ride of 12 km. The ride rolls through the farmland of Southern Auckland. The station is replete with café, picnic area, and playground. The second ride is absolutely free of charge.
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway has its operations over Glenbrook to the section of Fernleigh. The Waiuku branch stretches for 12.7 miles, extending from Paerata Junction, which lies in southern Auckland.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s history is similar to many branch lines in New Zealand. These branch lines are replete with petitions, deputations, counter plans and plans. Talk with regards to the branch line began immediately after the Penrose to Mercer category of the Main trunk. Settlers of the region knew the prosperity that came along with the construction of a railway.
The inhabitants supported the cause of the railway. They offered lands and undertakings to account for any deficiency in expenses. However, the depression of the 1870s and 1880s delayed construction of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. The clay roads of the region greatly impeded transport. A steamer began operations across the harbor to Manukau from the region of Waiuku. However, this did not ease the demand for connecting Auckland with its markets. A railway line was considered the most practical solution by the local inhabitants.
The Railway Commission, belonging to the year 1880, suggested that the railway line needs to be constructed immediately after finance was available. By the early 1900s only one progress was made. A cursory survey was carried out with regards to a possible route. There were also umpteen petitions, deputations, and pressure groups.
The Railway League of Waiuku was created in the year 1906. There was a flurry of agitation for the construction of the railway. Till 1912 there was no significant development. In the same year, the Massey Government came back to power. The constituency of the new Premier was in charge of the new Waiuku branch. World War I brought along with it shortage of labor. In addition, procuring raw materials became difficult. The locals, at this point, had little hope for the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
By the year 1917 the section from Paerata to Patumahoe neared completion. The completion of the Waiuku branch was delayed.
