Auckland Freights

The two colourful locomotives shine in the sun

4 June 2014

DC 4381 approaches in the distance as train 228 heads north

4 June 2014

Now closer, DC 4381's faded paint is evident in the bright light

4 June 2014

SD 6182 tails the train as it passes through Tironui

4 June 2014

DXB 5097 leads train MP4S across Boundary Road, with DL 9383 along for the ride

8 June 2014

The two locomotives carry on towards Papakura. DL 9383 is being relocated to Westfield for asbestos testing

8 June 2014

DFT 7008 provides a safe cab for the LE while DL 9210 works train MP6 across Logan Road in Buckland

8 June 2014

Heading for Pukekohe. DL 9210 will be tested for airborne asbestos on arrival at Westfield

8 June 2014

Thunderbird DL 9383 passes through Tironui with broken down DXB 5022 and train 228

12 June 2014

The DL notches up as train loco DXB 5022 runs dead

12 June 2014

The ill-fated DXB and rescue DL carry on north. By this time 228 was running two hours late

12 June 2014

DFB 7160 on the head of train MP4, passing through Papakura

18 June 2014

Another view of DFB 7160 and its surroundings

18 June 2014

Just a few minutes afterwards, DL 9227 passes through with a very late train 216

18 June 2014

Train 216 crosses DC 4565 with train 229

18 June 2014

DC 4565 powers through Papakura with train 229

18 June 2014

DL 9256 leads a dead DXB 5143 and train 228 through Papatoetoe

25 June 2014

DXB 5120 heads the other way with train 229

25 June 2014

A closer view of DXB 5120

25 June 2014

DXB 5016, back from its South Island holiday, leads train MP4 through Papatoetoe

25 June 2014

DC 4790 and DC 4323 lead a long rake of YJ ballast wagons through Takanini

1 July 2014

South Island visitor DFT 7199 passes over the pedestrian crossing at Takanini with train 229

1 July 2014

DFT 7199 works hard as it brings a heavy train 229 through Takanini

1 July 2014

DC 4467 leads train 229 out of Papakura station

7 July 2014

The train sweeps around the curve towards Boundary Road

7 July 2014

DBR 1295 and DC 4594 cross the Judges Bay bridge

13 July 2014

DC 4594, this time leading, and DBR 1295 return through Judges Bay with another rake of wagons for Westfield

13 July 2014

The two locomotives pass boats in the water

13 July 2014

The train stretches out past the marina

13 July 2014

DL 9354 leads a fully loaded train MP7 through Papakura

17 July 2014

DXB 5108 heads train 227 through Buckland

7 August 2014

DL 9377 leads returned-to-service DL 9187 and dead DL 9354 through Paerata with train 228S

9 August 2014

DL 9187 as middle-loco on train 228S. The locomotive was the first to have all asbestos removed, and is the first 1st-gen DL on a revenue train since February 2014

9 August 2014

The loco trio head through the former Paerata station site

9 August 2014

DL 9256 leads overnight weekend Wellington-Auckland train 248 through Papatoetoe

10 August 2014

DBR 1267 and DBR 1226 head south light through Papatoetoe, heading for Wiri

10 August 2014

DBR 1267 and DBR 1295 work train 229 across Opaheke Road. Both locomotives had been previously withdrawn and were returned to service following the DL asbestos issues

13 August 2014

The locomotive pair crossing Opaheke Road

13 August 2014

The DBR pair, usually found on mainline shunts, power south with the mainline freight

13 August 2014

The length of the train is evident as 229 continues south

13 August 2014

DFB 7010 leads train 229 past a small one lane bridge on a back road at Drury

21 August 2014

DFB 7010 passes under State Highway 1 at Drury

21 August 2014

DFB 7186 leads a late train MP7 across Sutton Road, with the barrier arms still being held down from train MP4

21 August 2014

MP7 charges past Sutton Road

21 August 2014

DL 9256 lifts train MP4 after stopping around the corner for at least 15 minutes

21 August 2014

DL 9256 leads its heavy train towards Sutton Road

21 August 2014

Ex-SX DBR 1254 and SX spare DBR 1226 lead the port shunt through Panmure. Both locomotives were still in service when the DL asbestos crisis arose, with DBR 1199 being the only other of the class in service at the time

2 September 2014

DBR 1254 and DBR 1226 work the shunt bound for Wiri

2 September 2014