SAs Return to Taumarunui

After exiting the Kaimai Tunnel and passing through Waharoa, DL 9446 leads a rake of seven SD and three SA carriages through Walton, bound for Taumarunui

7 August 2016

DL 9446 heads through the rural landscape of Walton, a far cry from the suburban scenes the SAs saw their working lives in

7 August 2016

DL 9446, running as train C98, pass the grain silos at Walton

7 August 2016

DL 9446 heads around the curve out of Walton

7 August 2016

Train C98 heads around the curve at Kiwitahi as it heads for Hamilton

7 August 2016

A rather unusual sight as DL 9446, not normally seen hauling passenger stock, passes through the countryside with suburban carriages

7 August 2016

The tail end of train C98 heads out of Kiwitahi

7 August 2016

DL 9446 enters Morrinsville with train C98

7 August 2016

At the other end of Morrinsville, DL 9446 leads the carriages out of Morrinsville

7 August 2016

DL 9446 passes the loop and sidings at Morrinsville

7 August 2016

Coming towards the end of the yard, DL 9446 heads out of Morrinsville towards Hamilton

7 August 2016

The train passes the lush green landscape of the Waikato at Eureka

7 August 2016

DL 9446 heads through Eureka with train C98

7 August 2016

The train heads out of Eureka towards Hamilton

7 August 2016

Now near Hamilton, train C98 passes through Ruakura

7 August 2016

DL 9446 leads the 11 total train (including one IH wagon) through Eureka. The IH wagon at the end of the train was used solely for attaching the Train End Monitor

7 August 2016

While DL 9446 lays over at Te Rapa, DL 9348 enters the yard with train MP4S

7 August 2016

Train MP4S enters the yard at Te Rapa during DL 9446's layover

7 August 2016

After a two hour layover at Te Rapa, DL 9446 departs Hamilton with train B79 bound for Taumarunui

7 August 2016

Train B79 departs Te Rapa past the Hamilton station

7 August 2016

At Ongarue, train B79 takes the loop as DFT 7051 crosses it with train 200

7 August 2016

DFT 7051 meets DL 9446 at Ongarue

7 August 2016

With train 200 now clear, DL 9446 waits to receive clearance to enter the work site ahead before it departs Ongarue

7 August 2016

DL 9446 passes over one of the many new bridges in the area with train B79 near Taumarunui

7 August 2016

DL 9446 hauls the ten redundant carriages towards Taumarunui

7 August 2016

Near Taumarunui, DL 9446 passes over another newly replaced bridge with the ten ex-AT carriages

7 August 2016

IH 10356 and SD 5842 bring up the rear of train B79 near Taumarunui

7 August 2016

At Taumarunui, DL 9446 pulls into the sidings to drop off the carriages

7 August 2016

DL 9446 passes one of the many stored rakes of carriages at Taumarunui

7 August 2016

DL 9446 places the carriages in the siding at Taumarunui

7 August 2016

With the third and final lot of SAs moving from Mt Maunganui to Taumarunui under tow, DL 9008 departs Hamilton with train B79

21 August 2016

DL 9008 tows the 20 carriages and one wagon out of Hamilton towards Taumarunui

21 August 2016

DL 9008 passes under Ngaroto Road with train B79

21 August 2016

Heading towards Te Awamutu, DL 9008 passes under Ngaroto Road

21 August 2016

Train B79 passes through Otorohanga with class leader DL 9008 in charge

21 August 2016

DL 9008 climbs the grade out of Te Kuiti with four complete 4-car sets and four extra SDs

21 August 2016

The SAs again meet unfamiliar scenery as DL 9008 climbs the grade out of Te Kuiti, with rolling green hills as a backdrop

21 August 2016

Train B79 rounds the corner through Kopaki station limits

21 August 2016

DL 9008 passes the small station building at Kopaki

21 August 2016

The train is cleared to proceed as DL 9008 starts up the grade, passing under State Highway 30

21 August 2016

The change in grade is evident as DL 9008 leads the carriages towards Taumarunui

21 August 2016

SD 5747 trails the train, with the usual IAB wagon on the end used to hold the train end monitor

21 August 2016

While train B79 waits further north, DFT 7051 leads train 200 through Waimiha

21 August 2016

After crossing train 200 further north, DL 9008 hauls train B79 through Waimiha

21 August 2016

DL 9008 passes under cliffs at Waimiha

21 August 2016

DL 9008 passes through the scenic Waimiha area with train B79

21 August 2016

Near Ongarue, DL 9008 finds a rare section of straight track long enough for the train

21 August 2016

DL 9008 heads around the corner and onto one of the many new bridges in the area

21 August 2016