All seven offers to the international tender for the Kingston Flyer were rejected by the mortgagee before Christmas, but the receiver of Kingston Acquisitions had stated an intention to talk to all interested bidders this month.
Southern F Locomotive Trust spokesman Karl Barkley visited Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wanaka drumming up support and raising funds towards the trust's $2 million bid to buy the train.
At a stop in Queenstown yesterday, the Invercargill man told the Otago Daily Times there was considerable support in the district.
"People tell me they would prefer to see the Kingston Flyer remain in New Zealand hands."
Over four days, the trust raised around $1000 through donations and sale of "scratchy boards", to add to $1000 raised earlier.
"This trip has been about establishing contacts, and it has also been a bit of a fact-finding mission.
"We have a lot of new ideas to add to the trust's plans for the Flyer.
"For example, we have seen how local attractions and activities here in Queenstown often operate shuttle buses from town to their sites.
"That could be an idea for the Kingston Flyer, as well," Mr Barkley said.
The trust's plans for the future of the steam train also includes creating a new station and platform where the railway line approaches the highway, about 100m from the Kingston station, including a museum, restaurant and parking lot.
The trust planned to seek funding from community trusts and the Lottery Grants Board, if its tender was successful.
