Waharoa Wanderer

Passing through Pokeno empty, DBR 1254 heads out onto the mainline for the first time since restoration, with DFB 7160 tagging along as a backup

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 pass through Pokeno underneath the recently completed Hitchen Road bridge, with an empty train bound for Hamilton

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 coast through Pokeno with a light train

25 January 2020

At Huntly, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 cross Tregoweth Lane heading to Hamilton

25 January 2020

With DBR 1254 kicking up dust, the train powers south towards waiting passengers at Hamilton

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 shines in the sun as it heads through Huntly with its backup in tow

25 January 2020

With passengers now on board, DBR 1254 pops out from underneath the Hamilton CBD at Claudelands

25 January 2020

Pigeons on the track take off as DBR 1254 rolls onto the bridge over the Waikato River at Claudelands

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 cross the Waikato River at Claudelands heading towards Waharoa

25 January 2020

Passing alongside the old rail bridge, the excursion starts on its short journey to Waharoa

25 January 2020

At Eureka, the train is placed in the loop while waiting for train MP4 to cross

25 January 2020

Still relatively clean off the boat, DL 9688 slowly rolls through Eureka towards the excursion

25 January 2020

DL 9688 approaches DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 at Eureka

25 January 2020

At Eureka, DL 9688 with train MP4 crosses the excursion waiting in the loop

25 January 2020

A stream of containers passes DBR 1254 while the train waits for MP4 to clear the section

25 January 2020

With MP4 now clear, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 lead the train out of the loop at Eureka

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 crosses Waverley Road as it heads towards Waharoa

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 notches up as it heads out of Eureka towards Waharoa

25 January 2020

Now with a clear run, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 pass through Morrinsville

25 January 2020

Heading into Morrinsville, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 glide into station limits

25 January 2020

The train passes through the S curves at Kiwitahi as it passes through the fields of eastern Waikato

25 January 2020

Approaching Kiwitahi Station Road, DBR 1254 almost blends in with its surroundings

25 January 2020

With the sun out, DBR 1254 leads DFB 7160 through Kiwitahi

25 January 2020

Approaching Hutchinson Road, the six-total train continues on its journey through rural Waikato towards Waharoa

25 January 2020

Nearing its final destination, DBR 1254 heads across Hutchinson Road

25 January 2020

At Waharoa, the entire train was turned on the triangle. Here, the train is seen reversing around the triangle onto the Kinleith Branch before heading back to Hamilton

25 January 2020

The train sets back across New Street before heading back to Hamilton

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 push the train behind the signal

25 January 2020

Now sitting at Waharoa, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 sit on the main waiting for a departure signal

25 January 2020

Halfway through the morning's trip, the train waits for clearance to depart back to Hamilton

25 January 2020

Now under way, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 depart Waharoa back towards Hamilton

25 January 2020

Heading on the straight section on the Waharoa triangle, the train departs back to home base for the weekend

25 January 2020

Heading away from Waharoa, passengers now get views from the other side

25 January 2020

Approaching Morrinsville, the train passes alongside Morrinsville-Walton Road on its way back

25 January 2020

Being overtaken by road traffic, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 coast towards Morrinsville

25 January 2020

Passing alongside a quiet road, the excursion pulls into Morrinsville

25 January 2020

A closer view of DBR 1254 with insurance DFB 7160 approaching Morrinsville

25 January 2020

At Morrinsville, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 cross MP5 on their way back to Hamilton

25 January 2020

The tail end of train MP5 is just visible as DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 head out of Morrinsville

25 January 2020

Heading out of Morrinsville, DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 lead the train back home

25 January 2020

DBR 1254's fresh coat of paint shines in the sun

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 cross Avenue Road as they head out of Morrinsville

25 January 2020

Heading back through Eureka, the train now has a clear and almost straight run back to Hamilton

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 coast through Eureka on the return journey

25 January 2020

The train contrasts against the sunny blue skies as it heads through Eureka

25 January 2020

After passing underneath the as-yet-incomplete Waikato Expressway overpass, DBR 1254 leads DFB 7160 through Ruakura

25 January 2020

DBR 1254 and DFB 7160 pass through Ruakura, almost back at their final destination

25 January 2020

Now almost home, the train passes through Eureka

25 January 2020