1 / 3The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum
📍 Tinwald, Canterbury
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum at 20 Maronan Road, Tinwald, runs working steam and diesel locomotives with rideable train trips, alongside a hands-on machinery collection. Exhibits are designed to be touched as well as viewed.
Breathtaking train museum. Because the displays are not only to be seen, but also to be touched. Not only that, but you can actually ride on any old classic trains and experience the ritual of the conductor checking the tickets. There is also a craft workshop to visit. Highly recommended. Our train ticket for this experience was $30 for a family, with unlimited rides for the day. If the kids are up for it, this is a great way to keep them entertained. It is also possible to apply for an annual pass. However, it is necessary to enquire and fill in the application form at the ticket office on site. It is known that the museum is maintained and served by volunteers. It's amazing to see a steam train in pristine condition. Very grateful to them.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Reviewers describe kids riding the train three or more times in a single visit. The hands-on policy across the machinery collection means children engage with the displays rather than simply observing. Staff are noted for their warmth and encyclopaedic knowledge of the exhibits.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →149 Google reviews
Cedar Wang
2 years ago
“Breathtaking train museum. Because the displays are not only to be seen, but also to be touched. Not only that, but you can actually ride on any old classic trains and experience the ritual of the conductor checking the tickets. There is also a craft workshop to visit. Highly recommended. Our train ticket for this experience was $30 for a family, with unlimited rides for the day. If the kids are up for it, this is a great way to keep them entertained. It is also possible to apply for an annual pass. However, it is necessary to enquire and fill in the application form at the ticket office on site. It is known that the museum is maintained and served by volunteers. It's amazing to see a steam train in pristine condition. Very grateful to them.”
hong phuc
a year ago
“Wonderful place for family and someone love history. My kids enjoyed the train so much and they took 3 rounds of it. Yes, you can take more than 1 ride per day with your ticket. Price for family of 4 was 40$. And if you don't want to jump in the train, you can have a look on other factories for free.”
Ted Roberts
a year ago
“Spectacular display of working machinery. Excellent location. Very friendly people. I am very pleased to have taken the time to enjoy the amazing array of spectacular equipment and authentic historical displays. I especially appreciated the steam train rides.”
Nick Quan
3 months ago
“Just as good as Pleasant Point Museum. Definitely worth a visit if you’re into locomotives from the last century.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum at 20 Maronan Road, Tinwald, operates working steam and diesel locomotives alongside a hands-on machinery collection. Train rides run on the track, and children have been known to complete multiple laps in a single visit. The collection spans agricultural and industrial equipment from the last century, all meticulously maintained. Child-focused activities are distributed across the grounds.