Rotorua Railcruising
Railcruising cart RC08 prepares for departure from Mamaku station towards Tarukenga, 10km away
22 November 2015
The convoy of three carts, with one behind the camera, receives instructions from crew before leaving Mamaku
22 November 2015
Departing Mamaku station towards Tarukenga, running on the electric motors down the steep grade
22 November 2015
Just out of Mamaku station is a stock crossing. The cart automatically slows down for the crossing, with the driver only required to apply the handbrake if necessary
22 November 2015
Passengers are offered spectacular views that hadn't been seen by anyone between 2002 and 2010
22 November 2015
The cart approaches a steep 1 in 35 downhill grade
22 November 2015
Cruising down the steep grade
22 November 2015
The line passes through cuttings reminiscent of the 1890s, when the line was originally opened to rail traffic
22 November 2015
Passing through bush cover
22 November 2015
Passengers also get views of Lake Rotorua from the carts
22 November 2015
The cart passes under bush cover
22 November 2015
Passing around one of the many curves on the line
22 November 2015
Cruising down the grade towards Tarukenga
22 November 2015
The line passes under State Highway 5
22 November 2015
The other crossing on the section is a small private crossing. The carts automatically slow down using information picked up from the track using devices similar to Auckland's balsies
22 November 2015
Entering Tarukenga station limits
22 November 2015
At Tarukenga, the carts are turned for the return journey. The ultimate goal of the operation is to run the whole 49km from Putaruru to Rotorua
22 November 2015
Turning RC08 at Tarukenga
22 November 2015
Two carts waiting to return to Mamaku
22 November 2015
The third cart in the convoy arrives at Tarukenga
22 November 2015
The three carts shortly before departing for Mamaku
22 November 2015
Departing Tarukenga on the cart's petrol engines, used for the uphill run to Mamaku
22 November 2015
Returning across the private crossing
22 November 2015
Plants overhang the line at places. A few would hit a train but not a cart, although this particular one brushed the cart
22 November 2015
Heading towards the 1 in 35 grade. This section was a challenge to trains when they ran, but has not seen a train since 2002 when the Railway Enthusiasts Society ran their farewell excursion over the branch
22 November 2015
Climbing the steep grade with the petrol engine powering the cart
22 November 2015
Heading along the straight, with another cart in sight
22 November 2015
Arriving back at Mamaku station
22 November 2015
Two carts, one in service and one stabled, at Mamaku station
22 November 2015
A three way standoff between carts at Mamaku station
22 November 2015
A cart waits under the shelter at Mamaku
22 November 2015
The line from Mamaku towards Putaruru is overgrown
22 November 2015
Rotorua station, long enough for one carriage. The Silver Fern railcar has a door in the middle and one at the end so this was sufficient for the class
22 November 2015
View of the end of the line from the platform. Across the road is the old Koutu freight yard, with the last train departing in 2000. The Lake Road bridge was demolished in 2012 and replaced with a new four lane road
22 November 2015
The Rotorua Branch looking back towards Putaruru, heavily overgrown
22 November 2015
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