Ja 1271 Heads to Auckland

Heading down the Raurimu Spiral, Ja 1271 drifts down the grade with DBR 1254 trailing

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 leads the GVR portion of the consist down the Raurimu Spiral. The train was made up of seven GVR carriages plus van, and six Steam Inc carriages

25 September 2022

At the base of the spiral, Ja 1271 powers up as it heads over the level crossing

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 thunders around the base of the Raurimu Spiral, with DBR 1254 just along for the lift home

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 exits Raurimu station limits on its journey north to Auckland

25 September 2022

Passing around the curves at Piriaka, Ja 1271 leads DBR 1254 and 14 carriages north

25 September 2022

Then lengthy train stretches out behind Ja 1271 as it heads around the curves through Piriaka

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 handles the train with ease, while DBR 1254 idles along

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 and its train heads off into the distance towards Taumarunui

25 September 2022

At Taumarunui, Ja 1271 pulls in to stop to take on water

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 sits on the platform at Taumarunui

25 September 2022

Heading south, DL 9596 leads train 247 through the loop to cross Ja 1271

25 September 2022

DL 9596 with train 247 crosses Ja 1271 at Taumarunui

25 September 2022

Train 247 crosses Ja 1271 while it takes on water at Taumarunui

25 September 2022

Now with a full tank of water, Ja 1271 departs Taumarunui while putting on a show

25 September 2022

Almost completely covered in steam, Ja 1271 gets under way with its train from Taumarunui

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 getting under way from Taumarunui

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 charges through Ongarue at speed

25 September 2022

Pulling into Te Kuiti, Ja 1271 positions its train on the platform

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 is then uncoupled from the train and moved to the turntable for coal and water

25 September 2022

Ja 1271 reverses down the loop to move to the turntable

25 September 2022

Passing the old goods shed at Te Kuiti, Ja 1271 moves to the turntable to take on coal and water

25 September 2022

Close-up view of Ja 1271 as it moves over tracks rarely travelled over towards the turntable

25 September 2022

Bags of coal are loaded into the tender of Ja 1271, while a fire hose pumps water into the tanks

25 September 2022