Waikato Freights

DL 9325 brings train MP6 through Tuakau, passing freshly laid ballast

19 October 2022

Train MP6 rolls under Park Ave with DL 9325 in charge

19 October 2022

The train passes around the curves marking where Tuakau station once stood, with the tracks never being straightened after the station's closure

19 October 2022

DL 9020 leads train 138 up the grade through Pokeno towards Mission Bush, with tanks of lime and empty steel wagons in tow

16 January 2023

Heading down the grade on a weekend metroport service, DL 9106 drifts downhill into Pokeno with train MP7S in tow

21 January 2023

At full noise the other way, DL 9020 leads train 228 towards Auckland

21 January 2023

The two trains crossing each other on the Whangarata bank at Pokeno

21 January 2023

In poor weather, DL 9014 leads train 138 up the grade through Pokeno. With recent severe weather causing flooding and slips across the Auckland network, train services north of Hamilton (including Te Huia and Auckland metro) have been impacted, with this train being the first of the day through Pokeno

1 February 2023

Becoming less common by the day, DC 4058 leads train 229 throug Mercer with DL 9187 tucked in behind. With just a handful of DC class locomotives remaining, the class is usually seen on shunting duties rather than on mainline freight trains in the North Island, and indeed DC 4058 came off train 229 and straight onto M52 at Te Rapa

16 June 2023

A short train 229 stretched out behind DC 4058 and DL 9187 as the train enters Mercer station limits. DC 4058 was added to the head of the train last minute as a ban on long hood leading required a second DC locomotive in Te Rapa for the Waikato dairy shunt trains

16 June 2023

Passing the level crossing control box, train 229 enters Mercer station limits with DC 4058 in charge and DL 9187 assisting

16 June 2023

Ahead of a passenger trip by Ww 644, DL 9227 emerges from underneath Hamilton town centre and onto the bridge at Claudelands, with train MP5S in tow

1 July 2023

DL 9227 crosses the Waikato River at Claudelands with MP5S

1 July 2023

Shortly afterwards, DL 9792 heads the other way with train 324, as a rain shower sets in

1 July 2023

DL 9792 passes through a rain shower and underneath the footbridge at Claudelands, before passing underneath Hamilton town centre

1 July 2023

In the early morning sun, DL 9515 leads train MP4 through Tuakau on its way to Southdown

9 September 2023

Running as train 229, DL 9544 rolls down the Whangarata bank on its way south, sporting new handrails along the side. In the background, Pōkeno's well-known fog is still burning off

11 July 2024

A lonely wagon sits in the loop at Mercer, after being removed from train 221 the previous night. The wagon was observed by us emitting sparks from underneath, prompting a call to KiwiRail to have the train checked

4 September 2024

The solitary wagon in the loop at Mercer, with one of Mainline Steam's Garratt locomotives on temporary tracks nearby

4 September 2024

DL 9613 and DL 9037 roll through Mercer with train 228 in tow, passing the wagon on the loop

4 September 2024

Train 228 heads north into Auckland

4 September 2024

Further up the line at Pōkeno, DL 9550 and DL 9567 cruise down the Whangarata bank with train 229 on the drawgear. DL 9567 is now the second DL with extra handrails along the side

4 September 2024

In the consist of train 229 was SRC 3436 and SRV 5859, returning to Hamilton after a trip to Westfield

4 September 2024

DL 9377 coasts down the grade into Pōkeno with train 141, unusually containing JPC class steel wagons in the consist

3 May 2025

Behind the JPC class steel wagons are the usual coal wagons, to be stored in Huntly after the day's load of coal

3 May 2025

DL 9285 leads train 229 down the Whangarata bank, with DCP 4663 under tow behind it

5 May 2025

Loaded on train 229 is one of the new GSH containers, featuring artwork. A second batch of these recently arrived in the country for customer use

5 May 2025

Among the other freight on train 229 are two Te Huia carriages, namely SRC 5889 and SR 5847, heading back to Te Rapa after a trip up to Westfield

5 May 2025

A slightly different from normal view of our home turf, DL 9423 leads train 228 up the Whangarata bank with train 228 in tow

18 June 2025

DL 9515 brings train 138 up the grade through Pōkeno, with the Martinus ballast wagons, classified XMB, in tow. The wagons are returning to Glenbrook after spending some time in the South Island doing nothing, originally arriving there in September 2023 just before the iReX project was cancelled

22 July 2025

DL 9515 catches the early morning sun as train 138 ascends the grade out of Pōkeno, with the Martinus XMB ballast wagons at the head of the train

22 July 2025

The ten returning ballast wagons at the front of train 138's consist

22 July 2025

At the rear of the consist, train 138's usual load of three wagons of lime follow the ballast wagons

22 July 2025

Heading into the fog at Mercer, DFB 7077 pushes train 1354 north towards The Strand. All Te Huia services were renumbered with four digit numbers to make space for the new Sunday services

2 August 2025

DFB 7077 disappears into the fog and enters Mercer station limits

2 August 2025

DL 9446 leads train MP4 across Oram Road near Mercer, heading into the mid-morning fog

2 August 2025

DL 9446 breaks through the Waikato fog and enters Mercer with train MP4

2 August 2025

Train MP4 cuts through the fog at Mercer, with DL 9446 in charge

2 August 2025

Heading south, DFB 7307 breaks out of the fog at Mercer with train 201

2 August 2025

DFB 7307 comes out of the fog at Mercer with train 201 in tow

2 August 2025

Further south at Te Kauwhata, the second Saturday service, train 1356, crosses Te Kauwhata Road with a bird trying to get in on the action

2 August 2025

SRV 5893 kicks up dust as it leads train 1356 north through Te Kauwhata. Pushing at the rear is DFB 7335

2 August 2025

DFB 7335 pushes train 1356 past the former Te Kauwhata station site

2 August 2025

DFB 7335 passes the Te Kauwhata station site and enters the single track section

2 August 2025

DL 9659 leads train MP6 into Te Kauwhata station, bringing it to a stop to allow train B35 to clear the single track section ahead

2 August 2025

Train MP6 slows for a red signal ahead, to allow train B35 to pass

2 August 2025

DL 9659 at the front of train MP6 waits for a clear signal before continuing north. Behind it, the lengthy train stretches past the old platform, blocking the pedestrian crossing but keeping the road crossing clear

2 August 2025