With the impending arrival of 394 Taieri Gorge Railway passengers in Oamaru tomorrow, Tourism Waitaki is encouraging businesses to open their doors and welcome the visitors.
The train will arrive at the Oamaru Railway Station about 11.30am on Father's Day, and the 394 passengers will have three hours to explore the North Otago town.
Four people from Tourism Waitaki will board the train at Palmerston to hand out fliers and promote activities and attractions in Oamaru.
''We think it's important that Oamaru is aware of such a large influx of train travellers and [we] are hoping that shops, hospitality venues and attractions will be open and able to welcome the train passengers,'' Tourism Waitaki marketing manager Ian Elliott said.
''We are meeting the Whitestone Civic Trust tomorrow to work on anything further we can organise for an Oamaru-wide approach to Sunday.''
Taieri Gorge Railway business manager Toby Mann said tickets for the Father's Day train trip had sold very quickly.
Oamaru's double-decker Bristol bus will be used to transfer the visitors from the railway station to the Victorian Precinct and farmers' market area.
While Dunedin passengers explore the town, Oamaru Steam and Rail is offering locals the opportunity to have a ride in Taieri Gorge Railway's train to Herbert and back.
The Herbert train will leave Oamaru at noon and return by 1.45pm, as a fundraiser for Oamaru Steam and Rail's 1921 Fowler steam locomotive rebuild.
Tickets are $10 for children, $20 for adults, and $50 for a family.
