Last Days of Otiria

DCP 4790 leads DC 4916 into Otiria with an empty rake of four wheel wagons

29 August 2016

The four wheel wagons, classified LPA, LPL and LPM, are the last of their type left in service in New Zealand, and are exclusively used on the Otiria shunt

29 August 2016

DC 4916 and DCP 4790 drop the wagons in the yard

29 August 2016

DC 4916 leads DCP 4790 through the yard

29 August 2016

The two DCs head around to the loading area to fetch a rake of loaded wagons

29 August 2016

DCP 4790 and DC 4916 drag loaded wagons into the yard at Otiria

29 August 2016

The loaded wagons are hauled into the yard at Otiria

29 August 2016

The shunter's refuge wagon at the back of the train will be left in the yard before departure

29 August 2016

After clearing the loaded wagons, DCP 4790 and DC 4916 propel the empty wagons into the loading area at Otiria

29 August 2016

After shunting the empty wagons into place and turning DCP 4790, the two locomotives move into position for departure from Otiria. DCP 4790 was uncoupled and turned as DC 4916 is not allowed to lead

29 August 2016

DCP 4790 and DC 4916 wait for departure from Otiria

29 August 2016

The train is moved onto the main for departure

29 August 2016

The four wheel wagons on the end of the train, coupled behind bogie log wagons

29 August 2016

After moving the train into place and picking up the shunter, the train is ready to depart Otiria for Whangarei

29 August 2016

DCP 4790 and DC 4916 depart Otiria for Whangarei with a loaded train of logs

29 August 2016

DCP 4790 and DC 4916, heading to Whangarei as train L22D, pass through Pokapu

29 August 2016

Train L22D crosses Davis Road in Pokau on its way south to Whangarei

29 August 2016

Not everything goes to plan however. L22D ended up disabled on the Maromaku Bank and required assistance. Here, train L1 heads to the rescue of L22D, with light locomotives DBR 1267, DCP 4663 and DC 4565

29 August 2016

L1 crosses SH1 near Hukerenui on its way north

29 August 2016

The Thunderbird locomotives DBR 1267, DCP 4663 and DC 4565 head north through Towai

29 August 2016

After collecting the disabled train, the combined L1 and L22D head south through Towai, with five locomotives on the head

29 August 2016

L1's locomotives DC 4565, DCP 4663 and DBR 1267 lead L22D's locomotives DCP 4790 and DC 4916 through Towai

29 August 2016

The five locomotives turn the corner (literally) as trains L1 and L22D head south

29 August 2016

DC 4565 leads the quintet of locomotives past flooded paddocks near Hukerenui

29 August 2016