Vine and Dine Express ft. DA 1410

DA 1410 gets under way from Waiuku, hauling the usual mainline consist of seven carriages plus AG 49. The train started here on its journey to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 makes light work of the grade out of Victoria Ave, after loading the first of the passengers for the journey to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 catches the morning sun as it climbs out of Victoria Ave. This trip is the first time the locomotive has run south of Blacks Bridge

4 May 2025

DA 1410 notches up for the climb out of Victoria Ave, heading for Glenbrook then Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

Now visible on the rear of the train, DBR 1254 assists DA 1410 up the grade. DBR 1254 led the train into Victoria Ave, a requirement as the train is too long for a locomotive to run around here

4 May 2025

DA 1410 and DBR 1254 bring the train up the grade and towards Fernleigh

4 May 2025

DA 1410 easily handles the grade as it climbs this one in particular for the first time

4 May 2025

At Morley Road, DA 1410 passes the Glenbrook Model Railway, before slowing down for the level crossing

4 May 2025

DA 1410 passes a much smaller railway at Morley Road

4 May 2025

DBR 1254 is still pushing from the rear as the train climbs as it approaches Morley Road

4 May 2025

DA 1410 passes the small station building at Morley Road, as it heads towards its next stop at Glenbrook

4 May 2025

DA 1410 and DBR 1254 slow down for the level crossing at Morley Road as the train heads for Glenbrook

4 May 2025

DA 1410 rolls into the exchange siding at Glenbrook, with passengers waiting to board

4 May 2025

DA 1410 stops at Glenbrook while passengers board for the trip to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

Also at Glenbrook, DBR 1254 was taken off the train and stabled at Glenbrook, leaving DA 1410 to head the train to Te Kuiti alone

4 May 2025

With new passengers on board, DA 1410 departs Glenbrook and heads back out onto the KiwiRail network

4 May 2025

DA 1410 rolls over the exchange siding turnout at Glenbrook, at the start of the journey on the mainline to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

Passengers record the occasion as DA 1410 heads back onto KiwiRail tracks

4 May 2025

Now running as train B061, DA 1410 starts its mainline trip to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 briefly stops across Glenbrook Station Road to allow the points to be set back for the mainline

4 May 2025

DA 1410 stopped at Glenbrook, waiting for the points to be set back

4 May 2025

After picking up another load of passengers at Pukekohe, DA 1410 makes light work of the grade through Tuakau with train B061

4 May 2025

DA 1410 passes the old Tuakau platform with train B061 in tow

4 May 2025

DA 1410 works hard as it climbs the grade through Tuakau

4 May 2025

Further south, DA 1410 brings train B061 alongside the Waikato Expressway at Ohinewai

4 May 2025

DA 1410 cruises through Ohinewai alongside the Waikato Expressway as it heads south with train B061

4 May 2025

Passing a baptism ceremory about to commence, DA 1410 crosses the Waikato River at Ngāruawāhia with train B061

4 May 2025

DA 1410 passes over the Waikato River, travelling slowly due to works on the level crossing on the north end of the bridge

4 May 2025

The baptism crowd waves to the train as they wait for DA 1410 to pass by

4 May 2025

After stopping at Rotokauri, DA 1410 arrives at Frankton station to pick up another load. Passengers had the option of disembarking the train at Rotokauri and having lunch at the Vilagrad winery or a free day at The Base, or continuing on the train to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 pulls into Frankton station to pick up more passengers for the journey to Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 pretends to be Te Huia as it pulls into Frankton station in Hamilton

4 May 2025

DA 1410 sits at Frankton while the crew takes a short break during loading

4 May 2025

After dropping off ballast to the south, DL 9400 arrives back at Te Rapa with train WT21, crossing DA 1410 waiting for passengers

4 May 2025

DL 9400 arrives at Te Rapa on the main with train WT21, passing DA 1410 in the process

4 May 2025

After passenger exchanges were completed, DA 1410 departs Frankton en route to Te Kuiti, seen here crossing Killarney Road

4 May 2025

With both rail and pedestrian crossings located here, DA 1410 has a lot of poles to pass by as it departs Frankton for Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 departs Frankton and heads for Te Kuiti with train B061

4 May 2025

As the light fades for the day, DA 1410 pops out from hehind the hills and appears on the Whangarata bank, with the hills in the background catching the last of the sun for the day

4 May 2025

DA 1410 reaches the top of the Whangarata bank on its way back to Glenbrook from Te Kuiti

4 May 2025

DA 1410 at the top of the Whangarata bank, en route back to Glenbrook

4 May 2025