The Great DL Park-up

All 40 DLs are out of action, due to the locomotives testing positive for asbestos. With the locomotives parked up, KiwiRail's older locomotives are picking up the slack. Here, DC 4300 and DC 4070 haul train MP4 up the grade at Whangarata

3 March 2014

The train struggles north as it hits the top of the bank. Metroport trains were once the domain of the DX class, before DLs arrived

3 March 2014

Coming the other way is DC 4283 with a short train 151 from Mission Bush

3 March 2014

The DC makes easy work of the short and light train down the Whangarata bank

3 March 2014

DC 4185's headlights cut through the rain at Tuakau

3 March 2014

DC 4185 roars through Tuakau running train MP7 solo

3 March 2014

DLs parked up around Westfield, near a black DFT and SAs involved in a derailment nearby

3 March 2014

DCP 4818, off SA sets, and DBR 1226 were the only other locomotives in sight, besides the DHs and DSC 2597

3 March 2014

In the distance, train MP7S approaches Paerata with DFT 7145 and DC 4219 on the head

9 March 2014

MP7S creeps slowly through Paerata, running wrong line due to tamper works further up the line

9 March 2014

The train continues at a snail's pace past the old platform

9 March 2014

The locomotives negotiate an S-curve at the end of the platform

9 March 2014

The slow train allows many different views to be captured with the train in the same place

9 March 2014

The locomotives and wagons lean in opposite directions as the train creeps forward

9 March 2014

Two crossings in the area ensure a slow trip for the train

9 March 2014

Close up of the two locomotives

9 March 2014

The train passes the entry signal

9 March 2014

MP7S snakes through Paerata

9 March 2014

MP7S finally moves into the distance shortly before switching onto the correct track

9 March 2014

Wrong line running means the barrier arms do not rise until the train is well in the distance, as evidenced by trucks still waiting for the arms to rise

9 March 2014

DXB 5022 awaits its next duty at Westfield, having been transferred from the South Island to assist during the DL outage

10 March 2014

Some laid up DLs have moved since their grounding, with an SA and SD from the Southdown derailment taking their place

10 March 2014

Log and woodchip wagons parked at Westfield. Freight trains to Whangarei, including branch lines in the area, have been suspended due to the DL outage

10 March 2014

DL 9325 has moved from its naughty corner and is now having work done

10 March 2014

South Island refugee DXB 5080 along with second-chanced DBR 1282 sit at Westfield, along with one-of-a-kind DBR 1226

14 March 2014

DH 2839 and DH 2868 lead the port shunt into Westfield

14 March 2014

DXB 5448 leads train MP6 through Takanini, one of several South Island DXs to come north to assist with the locomotive shortage

14 March 2014

The DL lineup at Westfield has moved, with the second generation missing their engine bay doors

18 March 2014

The end (of the park-up) is near: DXC 5229 leads DL triplets 9377, 9285 and 9319 across Sutton Road on train 228S

5 April 2014

The four locomotives head for Westfield. Second generation DLs are progressively returning to service following asbestos tests, while the first generation are going to Hutt to have the asbestos removed

5 April 2014

The quadruplet of locos speed away from the sun

5 April 2014

DXB 5448 pokes around trees with train 243. The locomotive was one of several to come up from the South Island to assist during the DL outage and may head south again once the DLs are recommissioned

5 April 2014

DXB 5448, now fully in view, crosses Sutton Road

5 April 2014

The train blocks the road as it heads towards the fading sun

5 April 2014

Some DLs have now returned to normal service. One example is DL 9377, seen here approaching Drury with train MP4S

13 April 2014

DL 9377 in the sun heading towards Drury

13 April 2014

A wider view of DL 9377 and train MP4S

13 April 2014

DL 9377 smokes a bit as it notches up

13 April 2014

DL 9014 near DXB 5166 at Westfield. The former locomotive will not return to service until all asbestos has been removed from it at Hutt Workshops

15 April 2014