Trainspotters will be out in force in Wellington today, as the capital farewells the last of its working English Electric commuter trains.
The English Electrics began running in Wellington in 1938 but after 74 years the last three are now being decommissioned as new Korean-built Matangi trains come into the TranzMetro fleet.
The final English Electric passenger service will be marked by a short ceremony at Wellington Station at 2pm before the public and invited guests board the train for the last return ride to Melling Station in Lower Hutt.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chairwoman Fran Wilde says the English Electrics are up for sale as scrap metal value.
"We've had a few expressions of interest but we're still looking for a good home for one of the units that was fully refurbished a couple of years ago.
"So if anyone has some cash and would like to own a beautifully restored piece of rail history, we'd love to hear from you."
A total of 49 English Electrics were built and shipped out to New Zealand.
Some have been restored but most were scrapped.
The English Electric company also built famous post-World War 2 jet aircraft such as the Lightning fighter and the Canberra bomber.
NZN