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

Now separated, the three locomotives will each be shunted individually

27 April 2025

DA 1410 sits alone at the north end of the Ohakune yard while switching tracks

27 April 2025

DC 4818 sits in its initial resting place before it too is moved

27 April 2025

DA 1410 meeds with DA 1431 in the yard

27 April 2025

With DC 4818 also now in position, a crew photo is taken in front of all three locomotives

27 April 2025

After bringing the noses in line, another version of the crew photo is taken

27 April 2025

With formalities out of the way, DA 1431 and DA 1410 sit in the yard while DC 4818 goes for a spin

27 April 2025

DA 1410 sitting in the yard at Ohakune while DC 4818 spins around

27 April 2025

DC 4818 spins on the turntable at Ohakune

27 April 2025

DFB 7049 leads train 200H into Ohakune, past DA 1410, DC 4818 and DA 1431

27 April 2025

DFB 7049 pulls into Ohakune station with train 200H in tow. The train will terminate in Hamilton with bus replacements to Papakura and The Strand, as the block of line in the Auckland metro area does not quite expire in time for the train to pass through without delay

27 April 2025

After train 200H clears, DA 1431 and DA 1410 can move around in the yard again

27 April 2025

Now coupled back onto the train, DA 1431 and DC 4818 wait to depart Ohakune, with DA 1410 staying behind to join the GVR train instead

27 April 2025

DA 1431 leads DC 4818 out of Ohakune, heading for Raurimu

27 April 2025

At the top of the Raurimu Spiral, DA 1431 leads DC 4818 down the grade towards Raurimu

27 April 2025

After running around the train, DC 4818 leads the Steam Inc train up the Raurimu Spiral, heading back to Ohakune and Paekakariki

27 April 2025

DA 1431 echoes around the hills, drowning out DC 4818 climbing the Raurimu Spiral

27 April 2025

DC 4818 leads DA 1431 up the Raurimu Spiral, heading around the circle just before entering the first tunnel

27 April 2025

The train stretches out on the hill as DC 4818 and DA 1431 lead up the hill

27 April 2025

DC 4818 is about to plunge into the lower tunnel on the Raurimu Spiral

27 April 2025

Near the top of the Spiral, DC 4818 and DA 1431 put all their effort into getting up the hill, shortly before crossing the service road

27 April 2025

DC 4818 crosses the service road near the top of the Raurimu Spiral

27 April 2025

DC 4818 and DA 1431 still roar as they near the top of the hill

27 April 2025

Between the Steam Inc and GVR trains, train 240 slots in and starts descending the Raurimu Spiral. From its position here, it will travel around a full circle while descending a 1 in 50 grade, passing over the track in the foreground in the process

27 April 2025