RM 30 visits Kinleith

Departing Otahuhu 15 minutes early, RM 30 gets under way, heading north to Strand before heading back south via Panmure

30 April 2016

With all booked passengers on board, RM 30 departs Otahuhu for the city

30 April 2016

After picking up passengers at Strand, RM 30 passes through Orakei Basin

30 April 2016

A dam under the bridge RM 30 is about to pass over keeps water in the basin for recreational use. The railcar itself is approaching Meadowbank

30 April 2016

RM 30 crosses Spartan Road near Takanini shortly before stopping at Papakura

30 April 2016

RM 30 passes over Spartan Road

30 April 2016

Out of Auckland, RM 30 passes over the new McDonald Road crossing at Pokeno

30 April 2016

RM 30 speeds through Pokeno

30 April 2016

RM 30 enters the single track section at Amokura

30 April 2016

RM 30 near Huntly on its way south

30 April 2016

The excursion enters Huntly

30 April 2016

Between Ngaruawahia and Horotiu, the railcar ran wrong line for track work on a level crossing nearby

30 April 2016

The railcar slows right down to pass over a level crossing, not operating properly due to wrong line running

30 April 2016

RM 30 slowly approaches the level crossing

30 April 2016

After collecting passengers at Hamilton, RM 30 heads rast through Ruakura

30 April 2016

RM 30 passes through Ruakura eastbound

30 April 2016

Now on the Kinleith Branch, the last of five different lines the excursion travelled on, the railcar heads out of Waharoa

30 April 2016

The railcar gathers speed as it heads out of Waharoa

30 April 2016

RM 30 at speed through Hinuera

30 April 2016

RM 30 is not holding back as it passes through Hinuera

30 April 2016

At Putaruru, passengers disembarked the railcar and headed into town for lunch

30 April 2016

RM 30 at what's left of the platform at Putaruru, last served by regular services in 2001

30 April 2016

With a freight train in the section ahead, RM 30 waits for a clear signal and for passengers to reboard

30 April 2016

RM 30 parked at the platform at Putaruru

30 April 2016

RM 30 contrasts with the sky at Putaruru

30 April 2016

With passengers now fed and back on board, RM 30 gets under way from Putaruru

30 April 2016

RM 30 passes over the crossovers south of Putaruru. In previous years, the railcar would have changed tracks at the crossover it is passing over here, taking the Rotorua Branch with the Geyserlander before that service was cancelled in 2001

30 April 2016

RM 30 passes the start of the closed Rotorua Branch as it carries on on the Kinleith Branch

30 April 2016

RM 30 catches the sun out of Putaruru

30 April 2016

RM 30 leaves the forlorn Rotorua Branch behind

30 April 2016

RM 30 crosses Kinloch Road near Lichfield

30 April 2016

South of Tokoroa, RM 30 passes a disconnected siding

30 April 2016

RM 30 departs Tokoroa

30 April 2016

At Kinleith, RM 30 waited outside for permission to enter the yard

30 April 2016

With permission granted, RM 30 enters the freight yard

30 April 2016

RM 30 shortly before crossing the last level crossing on the Kinleith Branch

30 April 2016

RM 30 arrives at the Kinleith freight yard

30 April 2016

RM 30 stays in the yard while the LE changes ends. Passengers remained on board here

30 April 2016

With loaded log wagons waiting to depart, RM 30 sits in the yard

30 April 2016

RM 30 slowly heads out of the yard

30 April 2016

The railcar exits the yard and starts the journey back to Auckland

30 April 2016

RM 30 heads out of Kinleith

30 April 2016

Now out on the mainline again, RM 30 passes over the level crossing

30 April 2016

The railcar passes an old water tower near Lichfield

30 April 2016

RM 30 on the journey back to Auckland

30 April 2016

RM 30 passes through Tirau as the sun starts to disappear

30 April 2016

From Huntly, the excursion ran under the cover of darkness. Here, RM 30 nears journey's end as it passes through Orakei

30 April 2016