Spiral Spectaculars

The day prior to the two organisations' trains, hi-rails are seen at work on the Makatote viaduct. The following day's activities will see the viaduct crossed six times across both trains

26 April 2025

Gangers work on the Makatote viaduct, with hi-rails occupying the track

26 April 2025

Departing from Paekakariki that morning, DC 4818 leads DA 1431 and DA 1410 out of Taihape, heading for Ohakune and ultimately Raurimu

27 April 2025

DC 4818 and the two DAs make a show of climbing out of Taihape

27 April 2025

Approaching the Turangarere horseshoe curve, DC 4818 leads the train around the curves before the main event in this location

27 April 2025

DC 4818, DA 1431 and DA 1410 roll into, then around, Turangarere

27 April 2025

The three locomotives contrast against the hills of the central North Island, as they approach Turangarere horseshoe

27 April 2025

The 10-total train, plus three locomotives, enters the Turangarere horseshow

27 April 2025

DC 4818 leads the pack as the train heads around the back of the horseshoe curve

27 April 2025

Second in command, DA 1431 sits in the middle. The locomotive was recently given a fresh coat of paint, which shines here in the sun

27 April 2025

The third locomotive, DA 1410, brings up the rear of the power. Directly begind is Steam Inc's new addition, AG 239, proving very popular with passengers

27 April 2025

The train passes around the horseshoe curve, with the locomotives doing their best impression of a steam locomotive

27 April 2025

The train passes over a level crossing providing access to a service road

27 April 2025

DC 4818 leads the train into Waiouru shortly before passing under State Highway 1

27 April 2025

Further up the line, DC 4818 leads the train through Tangiwai. Just out of sight to the left is a rake of loaded log wagons, to be railed to Napier instead of processed at the now-closed Winstone Pulp International mill

27 April 2025

DC 4818 climbs the grade through Tangiwai, shortly before passing over the Tangiwai bridge

27 April 2025

At Ohakune, the train dropped off all its passengers for lunch on the platform, before shunting movements commenced

27 April 2025

DC 4818 nose-to-tail with DA 1431 at Ohakune

27 April 2025

DC 4818 sits at Ohakune shortly before moving off

27 April 2025

The carriages are placed in the loop at Ohakune, as the platform will be required for the Northern Explorer during the process

27 April 2025

The carriages are shunted into the loop while a crowd of people look on

27 April 2025

The locomotives are detached from the carriages, and will then move into the yard

27 April 2025

The three locomotives head back into the yard at Ohakune

27 April 2025

DC 4818 sits at the head of DA 1431 and DA 1410 in the yard at Ohakune

27 April 2025