Tauranga Model Marine and Engineering Club (TMMEC) is calling “all aboard” to Bay of Plenty residents – as their Night Fright Trains return this Halloween.
Tauranga City’s Memorial Park Railway will be transformed into a spooky train ride next Friday, October 31, by TMMEC members as they prepare to take people – young and old – for the scariest ride of their lives
“Our Night Fright Trains will run from 5.30pm until about 8.30am this Halloween – dependent upon demand and the weather,” said TMMEC secretary Warren Karlsson.
Spooky, in the dark in the park, fun is being served up again by TMMEC at Memorial Park Railway this Halloween on October 31. Photo / Peter Davies
The ever popular Halloween night run had become a major attraction and feature in the park annually – which was extra special this year because Halloween fell exactly on Friday, October 31, said Karlsson.
Dress up!
“So we invite the public to dress up and come along for a scary ride in the park in the dark!”
Karlsson said club members would get into the theme – and not only would they become unrecognisable but the park itself would become a ghostly place, with free glo-sticks to be handed out on the night to add to the fun.
“We will also have independent coffee and donut vendors on-site to satisfy any hunger pains.”
Spooky, in the dark in the park, fun is being served up again by TMMEC at Memorial Park Railway this Halloween on October 31. Photo / Peter Davies
Due to rising popularity, in recent years the Halloween night queue time was longer than usual. “Thus we will restrict each ghoul or ghost to the one ride, unless you wish to re-join the queue for another wait,” said Karlsson.
“If the weather is fickle, we may postpone to the Saturday, November 1 – so watch for announcements on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/memorialparkrailway”
Karlsson said ticket prices had risen to $3 for a single ride or $25 for a 12-ride concession ticket. “But this is valid to be used on later and subsequent visits, until clipped out.”
Open weekend
The club would be busy again, a week later, Karlsson said, holding its annual Open Weekend on November 8-9.
“This is when we invite other clubs to join us, and show the public what the hobby is all about. There will be additional working locomotives and engines in steam to add to the fascination.
“November 8 is the display day but trains will be operating on November 8-9 for public rides, thus Sunday will be our regular running day albeit with extra locomotives in use.”
There would be a display of model engineering where TMMEC members would show their individual skills in displaying their intricately crafted working models.
“Some are a work in progress while others are fully functional and working. There will be additional steam-powered locomotives that will pull passengers alongside our own club engines.”
The ticket office would be open 10am-2.50pm November 8-9, said Karlsson.
“Come and see the results of many long hours of workshopping, and burning the midnight oil as individuals create models that are a testament to the skills needed to shape metal into objects of marvel, from times past but not forgotten.”
TMMEC operates the Memorial Park Railway every Sunday, weather permitting, and is run by club members volunteering their time.
If you’re interested to join, email: secretary@tmmec.org.nz