Waikato Steam Wanderer

Taking a ride behind Ww 644 on its first mainline excursion since overhaul
52 photos in this gallery. Showing photos 1 - 48

Getting ready to run on the mainline with passengers for the first time since its latest overhaul, Ww 644 sits on the exchange siding while passengers board

25 March 2023

Ww 644 waiting for departure for Hamilton. In the consist is freshly overhauled UC 686, backup power DBR 1254, four carriages and AG 49

25 March 2023

To allow Ww 644 to access the mainline, stored ADL DMUs at Glenbrook had to be moved. Here, ADL 805 is reunited with the old Kingsland station in the loop at Glenbrook, moved here after the Western Line was double tracked in the area

25 March 2023

A six-car ADL set comprising of ADL 810, ADL 805 and ADL 809 parked in the loop at Glenbrook. The units are operational and are able to move under their own power around Glenbrook station

25 March 2023

ADL 810 head on at Glenbrook, viewed from the foot crossing

25 March 2023

Two different eras in rail transport represented, with Ww 644 built in 1915 and ADL 810 built in 1985

25 March 2023

Ww 644 sitting under the morning sun shortly before departure from Hamilton

25 March 2023

Viewed from on board Aa 1233, the nose of DBR 1254 is lit up in the morning run

25 March 2023

Ww 644 gets under way from Glenbrook in a show of steam

25 March 2023

The train heads out onto the mainline, passing Martinus locomotives DC 4041 and DC 4571

25 March 2023

At Paerata, the train passes a new banner indicator on the branch line, with the signal indicating medium speed just ahead. The Mission Bush Branch at Paerata received new signalling as part of Pukekohe electrification

25 March 2023

At Mercer, Ww 644 stops for a photo run, posing in the morning sun

25 March 2023

Ww 644 whistles as it charges past the photo line on a photo run at Mercer

25 March 2023

Ww 644 slows the train to stop to pick up photographers

25 March 2023

At Te Kauwhata, people greet the train as it pulls into the loop to let a freight train pass

25 March 2023

DL 9279 rolls through Te Kauwhata with train MP5S, overtaking Ww 644. The excursion's top authorised speed of 55km/h meant a number of overtaking movements during the day

25 March 2023

After MP5S clears the section, Ww 644 gets under way from Te Kauwhata continuing for Hamilton

25 March 2023

At Rotokauri, many passengers left the train to spend a few hours at The Base

25 March 2023

At Hamilton on the ECMT platform, UC 686 is refilled with water while Ww 644 is serviced

25 March 2023

Ww 644 shortly before pulling foward for servicing

25 March 2023

After Ww 644 pulls forward, UC 686 and DBR 1254 is left with the carriages

25 March 2023

Ash is emptied from Ww 644 at Hamilton

25 March 2023

A large pile of ash has accumulated in Ww 644, the longest continuous journey the locomotive has made in some time

25 March 2023

In addition to the steam action on the other platform, EF 3007 and EF 30203 lead train 390 into Te Rapa. The EF class has spotty service at present due to their reliability issues, and the refurbished locomotives still undergoing testing and training

25 March 2023

After collecting DBR 1254 and UC 686 from the train, the short consist is parked on the ECMT main at Frankton

25 March 2023

Under its own power, DBR 1254 is moved to the head of the train for the return journey north, while Ww 644 waits to head to the yard to be turned

25 March 2023

Ww 644 waits to propel UC 686 into Te Rapa yard

25 March 2023

Ww 644 heads off to Te Rapa yard to be turned

25 March 2023

After Ww 644 clears the section, DL 9354 and DL 9596 bring train 390 on the next leg of its journey, after a locomotive change from electric to diesel power for the East Coast Main Trunk

25 March 2023

DL 9354 and DL 9596 lead train 390 out of Te Rapa towards Tauranga

25 March 2023

Passing DBR 1254 at the platform, DL 9354 and DL 9596 roll through Frankton with train 390

25 March 2023

Heading the other way, DL 9659 leads train MP8 through the station heading towards Westfield

25 March 2023

After being turned, Ww 644 sets back onto the train with UC 686

25 March 2023

Ww 644 guides UC 686 back onto the train

25 March 2023

Stopped just before coupling on, DBR 1254 comes face to face with UC 686

25 March 2023

Now coupled on and ready to go, Ww 644 awaits departure back for Glenbrook

25 March 2023

Ww 644 looks ahead just before departure for Glenbrook

25 March 2023

Passing Te Rapa yards, stabled Te Huia sets wait for their next duties

25 March 2023

Crossing the Ngaruawahia bridge on the journey back home

25 March 2023

Back at Te Kauwhata, Ww 644 stops to let people off on the remains of the platform for another photo run

25 March 2023

Ww 644 simulates a departure from Te Kauwhata on a photo run

25 March 2023

Ww 644 puts on a show departing Te Kauwhata

25 March 2023

Further north at Pukekohe, Ww 644 is forced to wait for two other trains to clear the single track section through Pukekohe. The first train is DL 9538 and DL 9193 leading train 243 south to Wellington

25 March 2023

DL 9193 trails DL 9538 as train 243 exits the single track section

25 March 2023

A mix of freight is carried on train 243, with curtainside and empty rail wagons in the consist

25 March 2023

The tail end of train 243 clears Ww 644's train

25 March 2023

The second train was train 105, the southbound Te Huia service with DFB 7295 at the pointy end

25 March 2023

Te Huia's carriages catch the setting sun as train 105 heads home for Hamilton

25 March 2023

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