AMs to Wellington

DL 9400 departs Pukekohe with train B35, conveying the first unit to be repainted, AM 144. The train is seen here exiting the electrification at the south end of Pukekohe, marking unchartered waters for the AM

2 August 2025

DL 9400 leads AM 144 out of the electrification at Pukekohe, heading south to Wellington

2 August 2025

Fully out from under the wires, AM 144 finds itself in new territory while DL 9400 leads the way to Wellington

2 August 2025

AMP 144 brings up the rear of the train, with a stop disc attached to the unit's coupler as the train end marker

2 August 2025

AM 144 is led away from the Auckland electrified area and heads south to Wellington for a fresh coat of paint

2 August 2025

After a lengthy stop at Mercer, DL 9400 crawls across the bridge at Mercer before crossing Oram Road. A jammed park brake and damaged wheelset on AMP 144 forced the train to limp to Te Rapa at a maximum speed of 20km/h

2 August 2025

DL 9400 crawls out of Mercer while the fog burns off, with a crippled AM 144 in tow

2 August 2025

A slow train means many opportunities to capture different views. In this view, AM 144 can be seen a bit more, reflecting the morning sun

2 August 2025

A slow run for train B35 as it rolls across Oram Road in Mercer

2 August 2025

DL 9400 approaches the single track section with train B35 and an unwell AM 144

2 August 2025

After limping through the single track section, DL 9400 stops on the loop to allow crew to inspect AM 144

2 August 2025

DL 9400 slowly rolls down the loop at Te Kauwhata

2 August 2025

DL 9400 rolls down the loop at Te Kauwhata, approaching the level crossings and departure signal

2 August 2025

The worn paint on AM 144 is evident here, as it follows DL 9400 through Te Kauwhata

2 August 2025

AM 144 follows DL 9400 around the curves out of Te Kauwhata station

2 August 2025

The change in gradient is evident here, as DL 9400 leads the train at a different angle to AMA 144

2 August 2025

Slightly further south at Rangariri, train B35 is about to pass over one of the few crossings in the double track section without barrier arms. DL 9400 rolls towards Te Onetea Road with AM 144 limping behind

2 August 2025

A sign advising of an 85km/h speed limit taunts the train, as it heads south at a maximum speed of 20km/h

2 August 2025

With the DL almost out of sight, AM 144 rattles through Rangiriri. An AM-like unit not under wires could have been a common sight had the battery-electric proposal gone ahead instead of Pukekohe electrification

2 August 2025

Near Huntly, train B35 emerges from underneath the Waikato Expressway and passes alongside the old main road into the town

2 August 2025

DL 9400 makes easy work of the light and slow load as it approaches Huntly with train B35

2 August 2025

DL 9400 approaches Sutherlands Lane north of Huntly, as it rolls south to its new destination of Te Rapa

2 August 2025

DL 9400 crosses Sutherlands Lane, with AM 144 in tow. The road was bisected by the construction of the Waikato Expressway, and a new name given to the western portion which crosses the railway

2 August 2025

AM 144 heads around the S curves north of Huntly, towed by an out-of-sight DL 9400

2 August 2025

At Huntly, the train stops at the home signal and waits for the correct light. Initially, the train was signalled into the loop, however was changed to the Down Main on arrival, opening the crossing for cars while the route was adjusted

2 August 2025

DL 9400 and AM 144 rolls into Huntly on the Down Main, stopping for another inspection

2 August 2025

A crew member inspects AM 144 as the train rolls past him

2 August 2025

DL 9400 rolls through Huntly on the Down Main with AM 144 in tow

2 August 2025

While the crew member walks back to the cab of DL 9400, AM 144 sits and admires Huntly's famous DEKA sign for the first time

2 August 2025

The coupling between DL 9400 and AM 144. As the AM class use Scharfenberg couplers which include mechanical and electrical components, an adapter must "break out" the brake hose for airflow

2 August 2025

AM 144 sits at Huntly station behind DL 9400, heading for Te Rapa

2 August 2025

DL 9400 gets under way again from Huntly, passing underneath the footbridge

2 August 2025

AM 144 passes under the footbridge at Huntly, heading for Te Rapa

2 August 2025

DL 9400 and AM 144 head out of Huntly station as train B35 for Te Rapa

2 August 2025

South of Huntly at Tregoweth Lane, DL 9400 rolls across the crossing with AM 144

2 August 2025

DL 9400 dusts the crossing as it crawls south with AM 144

2 August 2025

AM 144 crosses Tregoweth Lane, now well outside its home area

2 August 2025

Near Ngāruawāhia, train B35 passes underneath Great South Road on its long journey to Te Rapa

2 August 2025

DL 9400 and AM 144 slowly emerge from underneath Great South Road heading into Ngāruawāhia

2 August 2025

AM 144 exits from underneath Great South Road, heading south to safety at Te Rapa

2 August 2025

Worn paint on AMA 144, the entire reason for this journey, as the train heads into Ngāruawāhia

2 August 2025

AM 144 crosses the Waikato River for the first time as DL 9400 leads train B35 across the bridge

2 August 2025

AM 144 passes onto the Ngāruawāhia bridge with DL 9400 in command

2 August 2025

AM 144 reflects in the Waikato River below as the train heads through Ngāruāwahia

2 August 2025

AM 144, with DL 9400 out of sight, passes over the Waikato River

2 August 2025

DL 9400 leads train B35 off the Ngāruawāhia bridge, heading to Te Rapa with AM 144 in tow

2 August 2025

AM 144 comes off the Ngāruawāhia bridge with DL 9400 providing the power

2 August 2025

Further south near Horotiu, the short train is dwarfed by the mountain range in the background

2 August 2025