Waikato Steam Wanderer

Getting ready to run on the mainline with passengers for the first time since its latest overhaul, Ww 644 sits on the exchange siding while passengers board

25 March 2023

Ww 644 waiting for departure for Hamilton. In the consist is freshly overhauled UC 686, backup power DBR 1254, four carriages and AG 49

25 March 2023

To allow Ww 644 to access the mainline, stored ADL DMUs at Glenbrook had to be moved. Here, ADL 805 is reunited with the old Kingsland station in the loop at Glenbrook, moved here after the Western Line was double tracked in the area

25 March 2023

A six-car ADL set comprising of ADL 810, ADL 805 and ADL 809 parked in the loop at Glenbrook. The units are operational and are able to move under their own power around Glenbrook station

25 March 2023

ADL 810 head on at Glenbrook, viewed from the foot crossing

25 March 2023

Two different eras in rail transport represented, with Ww 644 built in 1915 and ADL 810 built in 1985

25 March 2023

Ww 644 sitting under the morning sun shortly before departure from Hamilton

25 March 2023

Viewed from on board Aa 1233, the nose of DBR 1254 is lit up in the morning run

25 March 2023

Ww 644 gets under way from Glenbrook in a show of steam

25 March 2023

The train heads out onto the mainline, passing Martinus locomotives DC 4041 and DC 4571

25 March 2023

At Paerata, the train passes a new banner indicator on the branch line, with the signal indicating medium speed just ahead. The Mission Bush Branch at Paerata received new signalling as part of Pukekohe electrification

25 March 2023

At Mercer, Ww 644 stops for a photo run, posing in the morning sun

25 March 2023

Ww 644 whistles as it charges past the photo line on a photo run at Mercer

25 March 2023

Ww 644 slows the train to stop to pick up photographers

25 March 2023

At Te Kauwhata, people greet the train as it pulls into the loop to let a freight train pass

25 March 2023

DL 9279 rolls through Te Kauwhata with train MP5S, overtaking Ww 644. The excursion's top authorised speed of 55km/h meant a number of overtaking movements during the day

25 March 2023

After MP5S clears the section, Ww 644 gets under way from Te Kauwhata continuing for Hamilton

25 March 2023

At Rotokauri, many passengers left the train to spend a few hours at The Base

25 March 2023

At Hamilton on the ECMT platform, UC 686 is refilled with water while Ww 644 is serviced

25 March 2023

Ww 644 shortly before pulling foward for servicing

25 March 2023

After Ww 644 pulls forward, UC 686 and DBR 1254 is left with the carriages

25 March 2023

Ash is emptied from Ww 644 at Hamilton

25 March 2023

A large pile of ash has accumulated in Ww 644, the longest continuous journey the locomotive has made in some time

25 March 2023

In addition to the steam action on the other platform, EF 3007 and EF 30203 lead train 390 into Te Rapa. The EF class has spotty service at present due to their reliability issues, and the refurbished locomotives still undergoing testing and training

25 March 2023