The railway will operate two trips a day this season, launching at 10am on Saturday and running until April 30, 2013.
It will be the second season of operation for owner David Bryce, who has worked with the Kingston Flyer team to complete a full maintenance and overhaul over the past few months.
No previous boiler inspection records were available from the receivers of the locomotive when he bought it. Mr Bryce initiated a major "strip down" of the boiler of locomotive Ab 795 to secure its continued reliability for decades to come.
"It's been a very busy time during winter, and huge investment required, but when I bought the train, I made a commitment to New Zealand and the community, so it has to be done."
After an inspection of the boiler by Stork Technical Services, of New Plymouth, a small list of repairs were identified and fixed.
"All is better than expected for an old girl built in 1927," Mr Bryce said.
With a small repair to the front tube plate, two new stays and full replacement of tubes in the boiler, he predicted there would be another five decades ahead of pulling the carriages from Kingston to Fairlight and return, twice daily.
Last season, the support of the wider community translated to a "very successful" first year, with more than 16,000 passengers "riding the rails".
"To have such a strong first season was very reassuring as an owner, but our goal, of course, is to get even more visitors riding and enjoying the train this year."
The Kingston Flyer gala opening day on Saturday includes a car boot market day, including more than 20 stall holders - with no attendance fee - from 10am to 3.30pm, along with music and discounted opening weekend fares at $30 per adult and $15 per child.
Vintage cars and machinery will also be on display in Kingston on Saturday.
Mr Bryce said the Kingston Flyer would operate at 10am, noon and 2pm on Saturday, and at 10am and 1.30pm on Sunday.
