A Jaunt to Wellington

After departure, train 200 passes through the Wellington metro network on the Kapiti Line. Here, the train passes over the scenic bridge over the Porirua Harbour at Paremata

17 July 2024

Further north is Mainline Steam's depot at Plimmerton. Seen outside is three of their carriages, AO 215, AO 48 and a third unidentified carriage

17 July 2024

North of Plimmerton, the line passes through a large cutting as it heads north

17 July 2024

With commuter services also operating on the line, train 200 is bound to pass a few. Here, FP 4472 takes the lead on a run into Wellington

17 July 2024

The scenic Kapiti Coast between North and South Junctions attracts many passengers to the open air viewing car. Here, the Tasman Sea, State Highway 57 and the North Island Main Trunk all meet at various altitudes

17 July 2024

The rocky coast of Kapiti viewed from the open air viewing car, AKV 39

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At Paekākāriki is Steam Inc's depot, with a collection of various rolling stock stored outside. Just visible behind the shed is AG 239, Steam Inc's own open air viewing car

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At Palmerston North, passengers were able to disembark for a quick leg stretch. Here, DFB 7307 poses at the front of the train, facing the journey ahead

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Luggage is loaded onto AKS 5868 at Palmerston North for passengers boarding here

17 July 2024

As the train departs, we catch a glimpse of the low loader, ETM 595, parked at the depot

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In the marshalling yards, the tail end of train 234 sticks out behind a rake of YJ ballast wagons and plow

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DL 9792 returns to the head of train 234 in the yard at Palmerston North, with the train scheduled to follow our train north

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Arriving into the yard at the time of our departure was DL 9291, leading train 391

17 July 2024

A number of refurbished EF locomotives sit in the yard awaiting signoff for their next trips. Seen here are EFs 30163, 30232, 30042 and 30192, with TR 897 also making an appearance

17 July 2024

Sitting away from the other EFs is EF 30059, also awaiting signoff

17 July 2024

Some time later, the train passes through Mangaweka, nearing the Rangatikei viaducts

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The train approaches Waiouru, through the hilly tussic landscape

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Visible in the distance from the train is Mt Ruapehu, with a large snow cap at the top of the volcanic mountain

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At Tangiwai, train 20 crosses train 251, with DL 9037 and DL 9400 on the head. Train 251 carries wood and paper products from the pulp mill and sawmill in the area

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Train 200 arrives at Ohakune to exchange a load of passengers, before continuing north

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DFB 7307 leads train 200 across the Hapuawhenua viaduct, the longest on the train's journey to Auckland

17 July 2024

Train 200 crosses the Hapuawhenua viaduct, built in the 1980s as part of a deviation for electrification

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At the top of the Raurimu Spiral, DFB 7307 slows down to stop to gain permission to pass a work site

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DFB 7307 stops the train on top of the lower tunnel on the Raurimu Spiral

17 July 2024