2014 the bridge was re-sleepered and maintenance completed on the main bridge structure (including removing the former Waitara town water pipes from the side). This has allowed trains to return to the entire branch line (and a proposed loop at the former Sentry Hill station site). In 2019 the society entered into a lease to the Lepperton railway sidings (but not the main line and loop) which will allow locomotives to switch ends of the train. As part of this agreement, the society is building a new linking track to bypass the Kiwirails network which is under Centralised Traffic Control. Rolling stock Locomotives The Waitara Railway Preservation Society owns a number of diesel shunting locomotives, either operational or awaiting restoration. These include: Former resident locomotives Locomotives formerly based at Waitara include: FA 250 steam locomotive, built in 1892. Leased from the Waikato branch of the NZR&LS Tr 164 diesel shunter, built in 1959. Now at F&DSRS in Feilding. Privately owned. The WRPS's collection of rolling stock consists of both passenger carriages and freight wagons, and is either owned outright by the society or is leased from the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand. This includes: Passenger Vehicles Guards Vans Goods Wagons Buildings & Facilitates Station Buildings None of the original station buildings remained when the line was purchased. Since the railway was purchased, new stations have been created. This has included relocating two historic station buildings, both former New Zealand Railways stations. Waitara Road's station building made up of the former Tahora & Waitōtara station buildings. The Tahora building is fully restored while the Waitōtara building is under restoration. The shelter at Magnolia glade is a former New Plymouth City Transport bus shelter. Magnolia Glade Magnolia Glade is located just past Waitara Road station and is the site of over 200 new trees planted along the line, including a significant number of Magnolias. Trains are operated as part of the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival each year while the trees are in bloom. References External links Official website of the Waitara Railway Preservation Society Heritage railways in New Zealand Transport organisations based in New Zealand Organizations established in 1999 Taranaki 1999 establishments in New Zealand