Videos

While at home waiting for the new arrival, we took the chance to explore a few locations closer to home. Featured here are various regular freight and passenger trains through Pōkeno, as well as two Glenbrook Vintage Railway trains and another less common movement

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway ran their annual Vine and Dine Express on 4 May 2025, with a twist - Steam Incorporated's visiting locomotive DA 1410 hauled the train, its first excursion in the Auckland area in 20 years. The train is seen here heading south as far as Hamilton, then homeward bound again at Whangarata

In the late hours of 28 April 2025, DL 9262 with train MP10 came to a halt on the Whangarata bank, with the tail of the train perfectly in view of our live stream. We caught the entire rescue process of the train on camera, seen here edited down, with the train finally passing through for real in the early hours of 29 April.

On 27 April 2025, both the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and Steam Incorporated each ran an excursion over the Raurimu Spiral, with GVR running to Ohakune first then to Raurimu and back. Also at Ohakune, DA 1410 was swapped from the Steam Inc train to the GVR train, once that train arrived, where the locomotive then carried on all the way back to Glenbrook. We followed both trains; Steam Inc from Taihape to Raurimu, then GVR from Raurimu to Taumarunui

Pukekohe station reopened on 3 February 2025, with electric trains serving the station for the first time. We went out and had a look at the section between Papakura and Pukekohe after reopening

Christmas lights returned to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for 2024, bigger than ever with two trains running. DBR 1295 and Ww 480 took command of the 9-car GVR train, while DBR 1254 and Ww 644 ran shuttle trips on the KiwiRail network to the steel mill at Mission Bush and return

In October 2024, KiwiRail took delivery of 200 brand new GSH class containers, featuring colourful artwork on the side in place of the old standard of a blank red canvas. 160 of these new containers are seen from our live stream, being delivered to Auckland on two different train 334X runs two days apart

DC 4818 made its first trip onto the KiwiRail network as a heritage vehicle after restoration, on a test run from Glenbrook to Waharoa and return. Along for the ride was DBR 1254, providing a load via its dynamic brake as well as a backup locomotive

Glenbrook Vintage Railway's SA and SD carriages were all moved from Taumarunui in the past few weeks on two separate trains, with the first relocating four SDs and the second relocating nine SAs, as well as two SDs for Steam Inc. Both trains are seen here in the Pōkeno area, with DBR 1254 in charge

Join us for a return journey aboard the Northern Explorer, from Papakura to Wellington and return. We spend most of our time on board in the open air viewing car, taking in the sights and sounds of the journey

A quick jaunt around the Wellington suburban network, including a ride on the Hutt Valley Line and seeing its construction work, carriage trains at Wellington station, and a short ride up the Johnsonville Line

Join us for a ride on the Wellington Cable Car from Kelburn to Lambdon Quay, including a first-hand view of the light shows inside the tunnels

Part 2 of our coverage of EMU test runs to Pukekohe, with AM 836 doing another series the following day. The train is seen here at a number of locations along the line on its various journeys between Papakura and Pukekohe

Becoming the first EMU to run to Pukekohe under its own power, AM 836 ran to the newly electrified station on a test run. The tests come a week after power was switched on for the first time south of Papakura

Once a month, MOTAT puts on a live steam day, with their steam trains running on the Western Springs Railway. We took a ride behind Y 542, and also scored a ride on steam tram #100

Becoming the first EMU to visit Pukekohe, AM 306 formed part of TT19 from Wiri to Pukekohe, with Glenbrook Vintage Railway's DBR 1254 towing the EMU from Papakura to Pukekohe. The train checked clearances at all four stations south of Papakura, including at all four platforms at Pukekohe

An uncommon sight on the Auckland rail network is two wrapped units coupled together - with a handful of wrapped units roaming the network, the chances of two of them together is quite low. Here, AM 509 and AM 674 pair up on a Southern Line service to Waitematā, seen here departing Puhinui

Taking advantage of a day off between a Thursday public holiday and a weekend, we follow trains 482 and 483 on the Kinleith Branch between Waharoa and Kinleith. DL 9279 was in charge of the two trains for the day, dropping off empty wagons then returning with loaded wagons to Mt Maunganui

On the nights of 8 and 9 March 2024, singer Pink stopped in Auckland for two shows as part of her Summer Carnival tour. Auckland's rail network played a large part of moving these crowds to and from Eden Park, moving almost half of these people to and from Kingsland and Morningside stations. Join us as we head along to the concert from Papatoetoe on the Eastern Line to Kingsland

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway returned to the Waikato region after last year's successful steam trips, with Ww 644 once again heading trips out of Hamilton. After four shuttle trips to Ruakura, we followed the train from Hamilton to Huntly on the River Steam Rover

For the first time since the first COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020, Thomas the Tank Engine visited Glenbrook Vintage Railway alongside his friends. The weekend of 2 and 3 March 2024 saw Thomas, Ww 480 and Ww 644 all running on the railway, with the two Wws running between Glenbrook and Fernleigh. Additionally, DBR 1254 slotted in between the two main trains with a charter service from Victoria Ave to Glenbrook and return

Join us for a ride on the Goldfields Railway, with highlights of the journey between Waihi and Waikino. The Goldfields Railway was formed in 1980 to preserve the section between Waihi and Waikino, after the Kaimai Tunnel made the line from Paeroa to Apata redundant

Join us as travel on board Te Huia from The Strand station in Auckland to Frankton station in Hamilton, showing highlights along the trip. Also featured is train MP99, which passed through between services, and train 102 departing Puhinui station on the opposing main (opposite platform from usual) towards Auckland

In recent weeks, Te Huia's SRV driving carriages have been leading trains 100, 102 and 104 in revenue service, over a year after the first trials and training runs. We catch the first two of these trains between Pōkeno and Drury in the first weeks of operations in the push mode. In Drury, the train also passes under electrification infrastructure being installed

A different sort of load on train 225S was spotted on 9 September 2023, with ten Martinus ballast wagons heading south after testing at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. With DL 9475 and DL 9112 in charge of the train, the wagons started their journey south to the South Island for contract work, spotted here between Tuakau and Ngaruawahia

Open to the public for the first time (previous trips were private charters), Ww 644 made a series of trips between Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Morrinsville, all of which were fully booked. We followed the train between Hamilton and Morrinsville, named the Town & Country Steam Limited, on the first afternoon run

After delivery in April 2023, the latest batch of ten DL class locomotives entered service through June 2023, making their initial runs on the Golden Triangle and to Kinleith. Near our headquarters in Pokeno, seven of the ten new arrivals have been spotted in service, which we caught around the Waikato township

A level crossing bell has recently been installed at Glenbrook station, bringing back the feature after it was removed when the platform was extended. Seen here in use during the last weekend of services for the 2022/23 season, the bell protected Ww 644 and a standard consist of 5 carriages. The train is seen here arriving at Glenbrook, running around then departing again

On its first mainline excursion since overhaul, Ww 644 made a trip from Glenbrook to Hamilton and return as the Waikato Steam Wanderer. In the consist was water tank wagon UC 686, itself also freshly overhauled, and DBR 1254 as a backup. We took a ride on the train from Glenbrook, and spotted a few other trains through the station before returning to Glenbrook

Exploring the recently opened shared path between Meadowbank and Glen Innes, with Southern Line services using this section of line at present

Christmas lights returned to Glenbrook for 2022 after an absense in 2021, this year with a bigger event than ever. DBR 1295 and Ww 644 took charge of a 9-total train for the event, with all 11 vehicles in the consist as well as station buildings decorated in Christmas lights

In October 2022, Ja 1271 ran a number of trips around the Auckland and Waikato regions, including a trip down the Glenbrook Vintage Railway to Victoria Ave. The trips tied in with the 100th anniversary of the Waiuku Branch, where Ww 644 and Ww 480 re-enacted the ribbon cutting of the original line. In this video we see clips from several of the trips run by Ja 1271

A combined effort between the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and Steam Incorporated saw Ja 1271 head up to Auckland as part of the latter's 50th anniversary celebrations. Ja 1271 headed up to Auckland on the return journey of GVR's Discover Ruapehu rail tour, with DBR 1254 idling along behind on its trip home. We caught up with the train between Raurimu and Pokeno

Over the last few weeks, training runs have been taking place with the SRV driving carriage leading the Te Huia consist, with the DFB class locomotive pushing from the rear. The change was possible after work was done to the SRV carriages allowing them to lead trains, and drivers are being trained for the push mode before revenue services begin in this way. Here, we see several runs, running between Hamilton and Pukekohe, as they head northbound, with the locomotive leading for the return journey

Ww 644 went for a second mainline test run on 3 September 2022, this time running a lot closer to time and smoother than the last trip. We caught up with the test train at Pokeno heading for Mercer, and at Papakura just before terminating and heading back for Glenbrook. Along for the ride was DBR 1254, used as a load and as a backup

SRV 5859 and SRV 5893 leading two separate test trains through Pokeno, after receiving modifications to allow the class to lead. With the SRV class now able to lead Te Huia services in the push mode (operated the same way they ran as the SD class in Auckland), services can be increased without requiring additional locomotives

As part of Steam Incorporated's 50th anniversary celebrations, the organisation teamed up with Auckland's Glenbrook Vintage Railway to runthe epic Mountain Thunder excursion, from Paekakariki to Raurimu and return. Providing the power was GVR's DBR 1254, and Steam Inc's DA 1431 and DA 1410, in charge of 19 carriages and an AG van. We follow the train from Longburn to Raurimu on the northbound trip and DA 1410 leading the return trip up the Raurimu Spiral. Making an appearance are a pair of DLs on train 234S overtaking the train at Taihape. The following day, DBR 1254 returned north from Palmerston North to Glenbrook, running the return journey of the monthly Discover Ruapehu rail tour

The final run of the ADL class DMUs in Auckland is approaching, and to mark the end of an era, Auckland Transport held a celebration event at Papakura station. Alongside the event at Papakura, AT collaborated with Glenbrook Vintage Railway to put on the Mission Bush Family Express, an excursion trip from Pukekohe to Mission Bush and return, connecting with the shuttle service from Papakura. We capture shuttle services at work during the weekend of the event, all running as 4-car trains to accommodate the higher patronage, and follow DBR 1254 running the excursion train over the Mission Bush Branch. Older footage of the ADL class at work has also been included, from their time running all the way into Britomart

Heading out on the national rail network for the first time in 50 years, Ww 644 embarks on a test run from Glenbrook to Whangamarino via Mission Bush and return, with DBR 1254 along for the ride as a backup. The train was planned to travel from Glenbrook to Mission Bush, Mercer and Papakura before returning to Glenbrook. Plans changed when wagons left in the loop at Mercer (which were set down after setting off the Takanini weighbridge on a freight train the previous night) and other waiting southbound trains forced Ww 644 to continue to Whangamarino instead, and other issues as well as high rail traffic meant the Papakura leg was cancelled. Here, we see Ww 644 on the Whangarata Bank at Pokeno, heading towards Whangamarino in the morning and returning to Glenbrook in the afternoon.

A collection of footage from around Pokeno, featuring DLs, DFB 7010 and DFB 7158 on train 220, and DBR 1254 on a charter trip to Ohakune. Most footage is from within the last wekk, including some webcam footage from our headquarters, and some previously unreleased archive footage from around the area

A quick update on City Rail Link construction progress at Mt Eden. The new Down Main now sits in part of the trench for access to the tunnel, with the ground around it being dug out for the other new tracks. The Western Line remains open during construction, and services passing through are seen here

While Pukekohe station is in the middle of redevelopment, a temporary track layout has appeared at the northern end of the station, before new platforms are installed. Here, we see Te Huia, train 101, head south towards Hamilton, then DL 9020 leading train MP4 over the temporary "kink" on the Up Main

We head to the Waikato Region shortly after the border south of Auckland opened to everyone. Here, we caught up with train MP6M at Huntly, the Hautapu shunt with DC 4853 in charge, and trains 229 and MP8 at Rotokauri

A few rail scenes from the Franklin area, mostly around Pukekohe. Features the relocation of DC 4191 from Wellington to Auckland for shipment to South Africa, DC 4853 leading a work train wrong line and a test run for Te Huia

Various trains around the Pukekohe area during the course of Alert Level 3, including train B23 with a rake of empty wagons and the delivery of DC 4536 to Glenbrook

The port shunt, led by DL 9319 and DL 9164, running ahead of Te Huia making its first public run to The Strand station in Auckland. Both trains were running via Newmarket due to track work on the North Island Main Trunk via Panmure. DFB 7295 was in charge of train 104 for its inaugural downtown Auckland run, with DFB 7077 on the other end to run the train back to Westfield and also for train 105 in the evening

A rare sight these days, DCP 4663 leads train 228 solo through Pukekohe on 25 June 2021. The DC class is slowly disappearing from the New Zealand rail network, although a handful are still in service and are usually seen on shunt services

Passing through new housing development, DL 9204 climbs from Pokeno with train MP6 in tow. Further up the line at Papakura, the train would be halted by tornado damage at Wiri