Pledges to help save the Kingston Flyer have not been as "grand" as organisers had hoped and the future of the historic train is still unknown.
Kingston Acquisitions Ltd, which owns the train, was placed in receivership in November last year, owing $4.7 million, plus interest.
Southern F Locomotive Trust was established last year to preserve rail heritage in Southland.
In January it began a campaign to raise money to buy the train.
Chairman Karl Barkley said the trust had about $10,000 in the bank and $7000 in pledges from 52 people.
"It's not as grand as I'd like," he said.
However, Mr Barkley hoped more people would continue to pledge and give money to the cause.
He was also trying to get celebrity endorsement.
He kept in regular contact with the train's receiver, Lindsay McLean, of Malloch McLean, Queenstown, and believed six other parties were interested in buying the train.
Mr McLean declined to comment.
