1883 brought about some important moments in history. The Brooklyn bridge was opened, Richard Wagner died, Buffalo Bill staged his first Wild West show and here in Christchurch New Zealand the Addington Railway Workshops founded a brass band for the enjoyment of its employees and their families.

Comprised mainly of workshop staff, the band was funded by a levy imposed on all workshop employees. It performed regularly at picnics and social events.

The band went into recess at the beginning of the first world war as many of its members volunteered for service.

Re-established after WWII the band maintained an association with the Addington Workshops for over a century, with name changes along the way including “Railfreight Addington Brass” and “Trans Rail Addington Brass”.

In 2001 Addington Brass merged with Christchurch City Brass (formerly known as: NZ Fire Service Band, Christchurch Fire Brigade Band, Christchurch Municipal and Christchurch Tramways Band) – originally formed after WWI.

In 2021, the band restarted our youth band in the form of the Addington TRAINing Band.