FRONZ 50th Anniversary

Starting off our adventures, we have RM 31 from the Pahiatua Railcar Society waiting in the yard before moving onto the mainline.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

RM 31 along with its society mates Standard Railcar RM 34 along with Silver Ferns RM 18 and 30.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

After backing onto the North Wairarapa line, RM 31 travels towards the platform at Pahiatua.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Passengers board the service on the platform before heading north towards Woodville.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Approaching the crossing at Pukemiku Road.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

RM 31 crosses Pukemiku Road en route to Woodville

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Pacing south of the bridge at Woodville.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

North of the bridge in Woodville at Bluff Road.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Approaching the Manawatu Gorge at the site of the now daylighted Tunnel 5. The gorge is now only accessible by rail, after the permanent closure of State Highway 3 through the gorge in 2017.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Stoney Creek Road.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Arrival into Palmerston North for the Grand Cavalcade, we see the latest in carriages vs the classic and iconic 56ft steel passenger car.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

The first locomotive in the Cavalcade is GVR's DBR 1254, built in 1965 by GM-EMD as a DB locomotive, then later rebuilt in 1981 as DBR 1254.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

23 June 2025

The second locomotive in the Cavalcade was Steam Incorporated's DA 1410, built in 1955 by General Motors.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

1410 rolls past as the public takes photos and admires the locomotive.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

After DA 1410 cleared the platform, it was the turn of sister locomotive DA 1431. This locomotive was built by General Motors in 1957.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Carrying on from the DA is DC 4818. Itself rebuilt from a DA locomotive, it was built as DA 1481 in 1964, then later rebuilt in 1983 by Clyde Engineering as DC 4818.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

DC 4818 is the most recent locomotive in the cavalcade to enter preservation, having returned to service for the Glenbrook Vintage Railway in 2024

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Next up was GVR's locomotive Ww 644 which steamed its way from Auckland over a multi day tour of the North Island. Ww 644 was built in 1915 at the New Zealand Railways Hillside workshops in Dunedin.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

The only railcar in the lineup, RM 31 takes its spot in the cavalcade as it rolls past the platform. The railcar was built in 1938 at Hutt Workshops.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Ab 608 "Passchendaele" was built in 1915 at the NZR Workshop in Addington. The locomotive was the only NZR steam locomotive to be named. It was named Passchendaele in honor of New Zealand servicemen who lost their lives in the battle of Passchendaele. This is the first reappearance of Ab 608 after a 10 year overhaul, having just been completed in the last few weeks

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Steam Incorporated's Ja 1271, built in 1956 at Hillside workshops in Dunedin is a seasoned veteran of heritage excursions. Ja 1271 was the last locomotive to take its place in the cavalcade.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

After the Cavalcade, the diesel locomotives were sent north to Fielding to turn around on the turntable before returning to Palmerston North, seen here at the iconic Bunnythorpe dip.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

DBR 1254, DA 1410, DA 1431 and DC 4818 at the top of Bunnythorpe dip returning south bound to Palmerston North.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Further up at Bunnythorpe we see RM 31 on its shuttle trip to Fielding.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Later at the same spot, Ww 644 leads a mixed train of carriages on its own run to Feilding.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

After arrival in Feilding, the train was lead into the yard at Feilding Steam and Rail for servicing.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Once again at Bunnythorpe, with Ww 644 bunker leading back to Palmerston North.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

Pacing back to Palmerston North.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

The evening sun begins to set on a cold winter's evening, with DC 4818 on standby for its south bound service.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

DBR 1254 shunts DA 1410 and DA 1431 into a siding. The DAs were left here for the weekend.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

DC 4818 and DBR 1254 making Palmerston North station yard feel like a late 1980s scene, although the DAs are not slated for withdrawal.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

AB 608 lead its first excursion since its recent overhaul on the Ararere Express, from Palmerston North to Woodville. The service was meant to be double headed with Ww 644, however due to operational issues Ab 608 took the train solo.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

20 June 2025

On Day 2 of the three-day event, we started at the Bunnythorpe Substation for the Steam Incorporated double header trip to Ohakune, seen here with Ab 608 leading the northbound trip.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Ab 608's driver gives a friendly wave to locals who turned out to see the excursion.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Ab 608 and Ja 1271 seen at the Maewa crossing.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Going into the Maewa curves with a combination of Steam Inc's red and GVR's steel passenger cars.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

At Kakariki bridge, a photographer is seen getting his photo of the train coming off the bridge.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

The train is seen just past the Makohine Viaduct passing an old shed.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

The two locomotives make plenty of smoke and noise as it travels north towards Taihape.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

At Taihape the train stopped to take on water before continuing north. Many locals turned out to see the train.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Ja 1271 as seen behind Ab 608.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Ab 608 waits for time to depart Taihape.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Leaving Turangarere tunnel before approaching the horseshoe curve.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

The two locomotives make a steady pace up the curve with the long excursion consist.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

The entire train is seen in all its glory.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

Turangarere was a very popular place on this occasion! Many enthusiasts turned out to see the train.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

At Tangiwai, the train slowed to a gentle crawl over the bridge where in 1953 New Zealand's worst train disaster occurred. 153 people lost their lives here when the Wellington-Auckland Express plunged into the river below after the bridge was destroyed. The whistles echod in a ghostly way across the valley, in honor of those lost.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025

On arrival in Ohakune, the locomotives were serviced and turned on the turntable.

Photo by Jezza Clarke

21 June 2025