Te Huia Gets a Push

Leading a train on the mainline for the first time since refurbishment, SRV 5893 leads train A080, a test train running from Hamilton to The Strand and return. On the rear of the train, DFB 7077 pushes the 4-car train up the Whangarata bank. The SRVs are now able to lead after brake and balancing work was carried out at Hutt Workshops, and test runs are being done before allowing the push mode in revenue service. Once this upgrade is completed, Te Huia services can be increased

17 August 2022

After test runs, driver training runs were undertaken with the SRV leading. Here, SRV 5859 leads the second driver training run across McDonald Road in Pokeno, with DFB 7335 providing the power from the rear

24 August 2022

The following day, SRV 5859 leads another training run with DFB 7335 on the rear, seen here ascending the Whangarata bank as the rain sets in

25 August 2022

SRV 5859 leads another training run past a drainage reserve in Pokeno, this time with DFB 7049 on the rear providing the power

31 August 2022

Passing through Pokeno township, SRV 5859 leads DFB 7049 through Pokeno

31 August 2022

On the rear, DFB 7049 pushes the training run towards its destination of Pukekohe. DFB 7049 originally stood in for the three usual locomotives during their trips to Hutt, but has stuck around after all three were completed

31 August 2022

The following day, SRV 5859 leads a training run up the Whangarata bank heading out of Pokeno

1 September 2022

DFB 7049 brings up the rear of the train, pushing from behind

1 September 2022

After returning from Hutt Workshops, SRV 5993 leads a training run from Hamilton to Pukekohe across Island Block Road, with DFB 7295 on the rear providing the power

8 September 2022

SRV 5993 heads out of the single track section at Amokura on a training run to Pukekohe

8 September 2022

SRV 5993 slowly leads the train across Island Block Road, with DFB 7295 pushing from behind. As the crossing lacks barrier arms, Island Block Road is one of the crossings with speed restrictions imposed when the SRV class is leading, due to collision protection concerns

8 September 2022

DFB 7295 pushes the train from behind, on a training run to Pukekohe

8 September 2022

Heading onto the double track section, DFB 7295 pushes the train towards Pukekohe, as it accelerates back to line speed

8 September 2022

SRV 5859 leads a northbound training run from Hamilton to Pukekohe through Pokeno, with DFB 7077 providing the power on the rear

22 September 2022

On its second revenue run after leading train 100 that morning, SRV 5859 leads train 102 through Pokeno as it starts the climb to Whangarata, with DFB 7295 on the rear providing the power

2 October 2023

Just before the rain sets in, SRV 5859 leads train 102 up the grade towards Whangarata, getting a push from DFB 7295. This is the first day that the SRV is being used as the leading vehicle, over a year after prior test and training runs

2 October 2023

DFB 7295 brings up the rear of the train, pushing the 5-car set. An extra carriage is added to Te Huia services during school holidays

2 October 2023

SRV 5859 leads DFB 7295 on train 102 through Tuakau, passing the former station site. A new proposal to reopen the station has been put forward by the Waikato District and Regional Councils and Waka Kotahi at this location

4 October 2023

SRV 5859 leads DFB 7295 across George Street in Tuakau, potentially giving a view of the future of a station departure from here

4 October 2023

Bringing up the rear, DFB 7295 pushes the train out of Tuakau towards Papakura and The Strand. The SR sets now almost run in the configuration they did as SA sets in Auckland, at present running with 5 carriages instead of the 6-car DFT powered SA sets

4 October 2023

The second set of carriages to operate in the push mode, SRV 5893 leads DFB 7077 through the work site near Sutton Road in Drury

17 October 2023

Back in "home" turf and passing under the wires that originally replaced it, SRV 5893 rolls across Sutton Road at the head of train 100, with DFB 7077 at the rear providing the power

17 October 2023