Christmas Lights - Trains at Night 2025

At Glenbrook, a new addition is a 6 metre tall Christmas tree, seen being installed here during the last running day before the big event

23 November 2025

Later in the day, workers install lights on the tree, seen here from the scaffolding acting as a platform extension

23 November 2025

At the start of another night of Christmas lights, passengers trickle on board the 9-car train as DBR 1295 waits at the head to depart for Pukeoware

6 December 2025

Passengers hang around the platform at Glenbrook as they tricke onto the first train of the night

6 December 2025

DBR 1295 leads the train out of Glenbrook station bound for Pukeoware. In the background, the consist of 6 mainline carriages is stabled in the siding, to be used as the nights become busier

6 December 2025

Ww 480 brings up the rear of the 9-car train as it heads out of Glenbrook

6 December 2025

Returning from Pukeoware, Ww 480 puts on a show at low speed as it pulls into the platform at Glenbrook

6 December 2025

Ww 480 passes over the road level crossing, the only crossing available during the event, as it arrives at Glenbrook

6 December 2025

After dark, the lights on the carriages shine bright as the train waits for another run to Pukeoware

6 December 2025

DBR 1295 leads the train out of Glenbrok with Ww 480 departing, and the carriages lighting up the path during this long exposure shot

6 December 2025

A hiccup at the end of the night saw DC 4818 attached to the rear of the train in place of DBR 1295. The train is seen here after midnight and after arriving with the last train of the night

7 December 2025

DC 4818 sits on the end of the Christmas lights train, after rescuing it from Morley Road. DBR 1295 failed and was taken off the train at Pukeoware, with Ww 480 then unable to lift the train back to Glenbrook on its own

7 December 2025

A few nights later during the sensory night, DBR 1254 is now in charge of the Christmas lights train, sitting at Glenbrook waiting for departure

10 December 2025

DBR 1254 and its train wait at Glenbrook station for a load of passengers. During the sensory night, flashing lights are minimised, music is turned off and the train runs hourly instead to allow for longer loading times

10 December 2025

DBR 1254 sits slightly up the grade out of Pukeoware while the drivers prepare for the return journey

10 December 2025

Sitting in the yard at Pukeoware, SD 3199 has had many of its parts removed and awaits full dismantling

10 December 2025

An unusual visitor to Pukeoware is IL 4364, one of the many brand-new IL class wagons to arrive in the past couple of years. The KiwiRail wagon sits behind the carriage shed during its stay

10 December 2025

IL 4364 and another wagon sitting behind the carriage shed, on a newly installed section of track

10 December 2025

Lights on the sides of the carriages return this year, lighting up Morley Road as the train heads back towards Glenbrook

10 December 2025

The train pulls into Glenbrook station, passing around the curve into station limits

10 December 2025

After exiting the train, passengers once again head through the light tunnel and head around the end of the rails to exit

10 December 2025

The light tunnel is popular with visitors, with several people taking photos inside

10 December 2025

At the northern end of the train, Ww 480 sits next to a tank wagon providing water for the locomotive, waiting for another load of passengers

10 December 2025

SD 5842 is again providing power to the tent full of inflatables, seen here right at the end of the rails at Glenbrook. The carriage has not moved from here since last year's event

10 December 2025

Visitors pass through the tent full of inflatables on their way back to the main entrance

10 December 2025

A second tent houses more inflatables, giving visitors plenty to see

10 December 2025

Viewed from the other side from usual, the train shines in the sunset

10 December 2025

The newly installed Christmas tree lights up the area, standing next to the waiting train

10 December 2025

The tree lights up the open area around it, while the train waits for its next load of passengers

10 December 2025

Ww 480 waiting at the rear of the train for the next departure

10 December 2025

The Christmas tree shining against the night sky at Glenbrook station

10 December 2025

Back at the entrance and after dark, AG 49 quietly sits in the siding providing power to various utilities

10 December 2025

Now finally time for departure, DBR 1254 pulls out of Glenbrook, with lots of people capturing the train as it departs

10 December 2025

A second surprise trip to Pukekohe saw Ww 644 leading the mainline Christmas lights train along the Mission Bush Branch, seen here passing underneath Union Road

18 December 2025

Ww 644 leads the mainline Christmas train underneath Union Road, with DBR 1254 pushing on the rear

18 December 2025

At Pukekohe, Ww 644 meets AM 240, about to depart on one of the last services of the day to Waitematā

18 December 2025

A large crowd gathered to view the train at Pukekohe, with the train sitting at the platform for around half an hour. No passengers were carried on the trip however

18 December 2025

Aa 1258 sits near the lift at Pukekohe station, with the station sign on the bridge also lit up

18 December 2025

AM 240 gets under way from Pukekohe bound for Waitematā, departing slowly due to the large crowds on the platform

18 December 2025

AM 240 departs Pukekohe, passing the remainder of the Christmas lights train

18 December 2025

Shortly afterwards, DL 9573 enters Pukekohe station with train MP7, passing DBR 1254 at the other end of the train

18 December 2025

Train MP7 stopped at Pukekohe station, for an unknown reason

18 December 2025

Ww 644 at the head, soon tail, of the Christmas lights train parked at Pukekohe station

18 December 2025

The Christmas lights train parked at Pukekohe station

18 December 2025

DL 9573 stopped at Pukekohe station with train MP7

18 December 2025

Ww 644 at Pukekohe station with the Christmas lights train, shortly before departure back to Glenbrook

18 December 2025

On the Mission Bush Branch, DBR 1254 stops at the Home signal with the mainline Christmas lights train, on a regular run to the steel mill and back

20 December 2025

The train does not proceed past the Home signal; DBR 1254 has already had its tail lights turned on for the return trip, to be led by Ww 644

20 December 2025