Century-old Skunk locomotive rediscovered buried in Whanganui sand

Saturday 11 October 2025 · 4 outlets · 3 reports · updated Sat 11 Oct 2025, 8:40am

Contractors excavating near the Whanganui River mouth discovered a 150-year-old locomotive buried in the sand. The train, known as "Skunk", has reportedly been lost for approximately 75 years. Local preservationists believe the engine may be one of the earliest locomotives built in New Zealand.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZSat 11 Oct 2025, 5:22am

   150-year-old train found after being buried on Whanganui beach for 75 years (opens in new tab)

2. The Post via StuffSat 11 Oct 2025, 8:02am

   150-year-old lost train rediscovered in deep sand in Whanganui (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZSat 11 Oct 2025, 8:40am

   150-year-old train found buried on Whanganui beach (opens in new tab)