Glenbrook in New Zealand is home to the country's foremost heritage sites for railways. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) is a steam railway which is self sufficient. Due to the support and volunteerism generated from the Railway Enthusiasts Society the GVR was able to become a reality. The steam railway that operates is not a centre that serves the purpose of a museum instead it is an ongoing assignment where pieces of rail heritage are collected, restored and replicated as resources permit. The GVR runs along a rail track that is 6km in length and can carry 30,000 passengers at a time during a normal season of operation. The season starts in October and ends in June every year. At the moment the society that supports the GVR is working on plans to extend the railway line even further to the Tamakae reserve, located in Waiuku town. For rail enthusiasts this is perhaps one of the few places in the world where the beauty of rail transport and all the trimmings that go with it are preserved and even restored so that it could be enjoyed by present day generations. The centre is maintained and staffed completely by volunteers and every year the tourist numbers keeping increasing among those who would like to gaze over these beautiful engines The GVR organises special events such as 'Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine' during weekends. The programme has become a huge hit among families that have grown up around this well loved story book character. Other exhibitions have showcased freight trains and even country and western themed steam runs which go on during the night as well as the day. With many Auckland hotels to choose from while on vacation, tourists prefer to stay where it is convenient to access the city's motorways. Among the Auckland luxury hotels on offer the Langham Hotel Auckland allows easy access to the City Link Bus which is adjacent to the hotel. In addition, the hotel is within walking distance to the business and shopping districts.

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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.