Rotorua Railcruising

Cruising in carts on 10km of the Rotorua Branch
35 photos in this gallery. Showing photos 1 - 24

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

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