Videos

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

On 6 April 2021, the Hamilton to Papakura commuter train, Te Huia, entered service for the first time. The service marks a return of commuter trains to the route after an absense of almost 20 years. DFB 7077 hauled the inaugural service from Frankton station in Hamilton to Papakura, followed by DFB 7295 on the second service. We follow the train in both directions, and go along for a ride on the refurbished carriages

An update to the Puhinui station interchange construction, with the superstructure of the new station building largely in place. Passing by during the work day are DL 9089 on train MP5, running opposing main, and DL 9642 and DC 4594 heading back from Wiri to Westfield light locomotive

Just before the rain appears, DL 9538 leads train MP2S out of Pukekohe as ADL 810 arrives. Following soon after is Wairarapa escapee DFB 7010 with train 200 as the rain comes down, then heading south is DL 9106 with train MP9. Although the Northern Explorer is running, train 200 is terminating at Otahuhu as the Eastern Line is using The Strand while Britomart is closed. Train 201 however, continues departing from The Strand. With maintenance day in the Waikato now on Sundays, train MP2S is scheduled to depart at the same time as the rest of the week, but now sits in Hamilton for around 10 hours before heading for Auckland, hence the train running just ahead of the Northern Explorer

Christmas lights return to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for another year, with the station and train decorated in lights for the festive season. DBR 1295 and Ww 480 provided the power for the evenings, usually with an 8-car train

A rare sight in Auckland, DXC 5293 returns to Wellington dead on train 221 behind DL 9360 and DL 9187, seen here passing through Buckland. DXC 5293 had earlier led train 220 into Auckland, presumably after a traction motor change in Wellington. Heading the other way, DL 9573 leads train MP8 up the hill

The third locomotive to be sent north for export to Australia, DC 4692, headed north on train 220 behind DL 9469 and DL 9210, on its last run on New Zealand rails. Train 220 as well as train MP5 heading the other way are seen here through Paerata, where regional speed restrictions are still in force

The second carriage set for the Te Huia service arrived in Hamilton from Wellington behind DFB 7077 on 10 October 2020. Here we see the delivery run between Raurimu and Hamilton. One more set is due to come up, with a late decision made to refurbish one more carriage to provide a complete spare set

After an absence of over six months, the Northern Explorer returned to the rails the day after Auckland's return to Alert Level 1, on 8 October 2020. The train is seen here, with DFB 7173 in change, passing through Takaanini, and northbound as an empty service through Papakura the previous day. The Northern Explorer had been planned to return earlier, however Auckland's second lockdown delayed the relaunch