Until the Bay Express stopped running on 7 October 2001, Ormondville station was New Zealand’s oldest station building served by Tranz Scenic trains. It remains, however, New Zealand’s oldest complete rural rail precinct, which Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc. is restoring to match its 1950s heyday. To give the old station a new purpose, and in addition to restoration, ORPG has remodelled part of its interior. As a result, it now accommodates visitors as a unique ‘country homestay’ with a railway flavour – complete with the occasional passing goods train.
