Double Thunder Second Attempt

At the beginning of the day, Ja 1271 and Ab 608 bring the train out of the Paekakariki depot

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 leading Ab 608 at Paekakariki, shortly before departure

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 leads Ab 608 in light steam up the grade through MacKay's Crossing

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 pumps out smoke as it powers through Southwards

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 thunders through Southwards

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 leads Ab 608 and the ten total train across the Otaki bridge

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 waits at Otaki. Here, additional KiwiRail crew boarded the train and Ab 608 was from then on in power through the rest of the excursion

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 work together to bring the train out of Otaki

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 departing Otaki

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 slow down as they enter Manakau station

18 July 2015

The train slows to a stop at Manakau

18 July 2015

The train waits for a signal at Manakau

18 July 2015

Now with a signal, Ja 1271 gets the train under way

18 July 2015

At Ohau, the train is held to allow train 217 to cross

18 July 2015

DL 9014 and DL 9106 enter Ohau station with train 217. As a premiere freight train, it has priority over everything else

18 July 2015

DL 9014 passes Ja 1271 and Ab 608

18 July 2015

The train gets ready to depart as the tail of train 217 passes

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 depart Ohau

18 July 2015

An impressive display of steam as the two locomotives get the train under way

18 July 2015

The train pulls into Levin to pick up passengers

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 leads Ab 608 into Levin station

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 slow to a stop outside Shannon station limits

18 July 2015

DFB 7186 brings train 263 into Shannon, and stops in the loop to allow Double Thunder to cross

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 get the train under way once again, passing through Shannon without stopping for passengers

18 July 2015

The train enters Shannon station

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 pass DFB 7186 at Shannon

18 July 2015

At Palmerston North, DL 9135 brings train 219 through the station, eventually crossing Double Thunder at Longburn

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 enter Palmerston North station

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 stops at Palmerston North for watering

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 stands near five Capital Connection carriages at Palmerston North

18 July 2015

Ab 608 is admired by passengers and chasers at Palmerston North

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 lets off steam as it departs Palmerston North for Woodville

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 wait for another freight train at Ashhurst

18 July 2015

DXB 5051 brings train 625 through Ashhurst, crossing Ja 1271 and Ab 608

18 July 2015

The two trains meeting at Woodville

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 starting the train from Ashhurst

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 and Ab 608 bringing the train out of Ashhurst

18 July 2015

At Woodville, the locomotives are removed from the train and Ja 1271 turned, while Ab 608 is recoaled

18 July 2015

Ab 608 being recoaled at Woodville

18 July 2015

Ja 1271 turned on the other end of the train, with Ab 608 waiting to turn

18 July 2015

Now with Ab 608 leading, the train departs Woodville

18 July 2015

Ab 608 and Ja 1271 pass through the Manawatu Gorge

18 July 2015

The train passes the site of a previous landslide

18 July 2015

Ab 608 bursts out of a tunnel in the Manawatu Gorge

18 July 2015

The train leaves behind piles of steam in the hills as it exits the tunnel

18 July 2015

Ab 608 and Ja 1271 passing over a small bridge in the gorge

18 July 2015

Back at Ashhurst, the train made a photo run for passengers

18 July 2015

The train stops to let passengers back on, having already passed the signal at green at this point

18 July 2015