Last Train for 2023.
29th December 2023.
My last job for the year. Today I was on 252 for 255. 252 empty pulp train from P Nth to Windstones Pulp Mill near Karioi. My train was 632ton for 464m (26 wagons) long. After shunting the mill I left light loco, now running as 255. Shunting Marton Malt siding on the way back to P Nth. Running early I managed to stop and get a number of photos.
Happy new year everyone.
Happy new year everyone.
Last Taranaki Train for 2023.
27th December 2023.
I was the 0130am standby. Got called out to do 526 for car. After an issue with not enough fuel in the locos, I finally left P Nth 40 mins late. Was thinking I was going all the way to Whareroa, but got relieved at Kai Iwi by the Taranaki driver that takes the train to New Plymouth. This was my last run up the Marton - New Plymouth line for the year. Photos taken at Wanganui and Kai Iwi.
70th Anniversary of the Tangiwai Disaster
24th December 2023.
Keegan and myself attended the Tangiwai service. 70 years since the Tangiwai Rail Disaster, where 151 people lost there lives. Along with about 60 others (including fellow KiwiRail staff) who braved the weather to remember the past. May they RIP.
22nd December 2023.
My last Northern Explorer (Dora) for 2023. Train 200 from Wellington to P Nth today (22nd Dec 2023). Dfb 7049 on the head. Only my second time driving this train out of Wellington, as it's normally a Wellington based drivers job. Photos taken by me at Wellington and P Nth. I took the photos at Wellington and Palmerston North and Xavier Koenigsberger caught me as I went through Tawa.
15th December 2023.
Will the year is quickly coming to an end. Today should be my last Capital Connection for the year, unless rosters change their plans next week. I was on 1203 from P Nth to Wellington this morning.
Wellington
25th November 2023.
I was on train 201 (the Northern Explorer) from P Nth to Wellington on this day. I got a few photos before I left for home in the car.
Em 80
9th August 2023
I was rostered on to take Em 80 from Palmerston North to Ohakune on this day. I returned back to the depot in a car. I managed to get a few photos of other track gang equipment before I left the depot and of Em 80's 2 engines while at Ohakune.
Playing in the Snow
26 July 2023
I was on trains 390 for 217. North of Taihape through to Waiouru and back it was snowing quite heavily. Yes, I'm still wearing shorts.
Trains 534 for 535
13th July 2023
My crew change between these 2 trains on this day was at Ruatangata. Train 535 the one I took back had a Dsg shunter in tow.
Cab Ride on 201
1st July 2023.
SteamRail Wanganui member Leone T, came for a ride with me on this day, on train 201 The Northern Explorer. She rode in the cab from Palmerston North to Paraparaumu, before hoping into the carriages for the final let through the tunnels into Wellington. She then also went for a spin on the turntable before putting the loco away into the depot. We came back to P nth in a car.
Work Train 62, P Nth to Takapau, return.
25th June 2023
Geoff Mackley Photos
24th June 2023
Geoff Mackley was out and about getting photos on this day. He photographed me on Dora (201) heading south through Feilding. Great photos Geoff, thank you.
Train 200 at Ohakune.
Alan Wallace Photos.
28th May 2023
I was the driver on the Northern Explorer on this day. Alan got some great photos of me arriving at Ohakune. It was also great to him and his wife on the platform.
B37, Feilding Steam Charter
27th May 2023
I was the driver on the first leg of this trip, Feilding to Wellington. This trip was the last time these old carriages were hired out by KiwiRail for an excursion before they brought the new Capital Connections cars into use (these old cars are now up for sale). B37, Feilding Steam Charter, was meant to travel via the Wairarapa line. But due to a slip on the line it ran from P Nth-Feilding-P Nth-Woodville-P Nth-Wellington return instead. John Bovis took the first photo.
Overhead Test Train, Nat Park.
25th May 2023
My Sister Kylie's Cab Ride
8th March 2023.
Kylie posted on her Facebook site - "Something different done today, went for a cab ride from Whareroa (Fonterra Milk Factory near Hawera) to Wanganui with my brother. Think Keegan may have been a little jealous lol".
Locos used were Dfb 7282 and 7173. Train 535 which was 981 Ton for 402m (22 wagons) long. It was fitting being in 7282 (my favorite Dfb), as its number reminds us of our dad. 7282 is the last 4 digits of a TAB phone account he once had. He used to almost sing it over the phone when placing a bet, all us kids still remember it. RIP Dad (Milton) died 17th March 2001 (St Patrick's Day).
Photos taken by myself and Kylie.
Locos used were Dfb 7282 and 7173. Train 535 which was 981 Ton for 402m (22 wagons) long. It was fitting being in 7282 (my favorite Dfb), as its number reminds us of our dad. 7282 is the last 4 digits of a TAB phone account he once had. He used to almost sing it over the phone when placing a bet, all us kids still remember it. RIP Dad (Milton) died 17th March 2001 (St Patrick's Day).
Photos taken by myself and Kylie.
First Mainline Test Run of Refurbished Ef 30226
12th February 2023.
I had the privilege of being the first driver today to drive refurbished Ef 30226 on the mainline. This was a test run from P Nth to Marton return. With Ef 30007 and 30013 along for the ride. Ef 30226 is going through test before it gets released into service, to iron out any teething problems. Today on its first run, it had speedo and radio issues, so it was only used to Marton then towed by 30013 back to P Nth. This was also my first drive of an electric for the new year and then first drive on one since . A couple of photos also taken by Ian Coombes and Craig Renwick.
The Track Evaluation Car
9th February 2023.
My first time on the bone shaker (em80) for 2023. Was meant to leave at 8.30am but had to replace faulty part first. Finally got on the move at 11am. Testing this to Oringi today.
Dc 4058 on Train 262
3rd of February 2023.
Now for something different and this got the foamers dribbling even more. I had Dc 4058 as 2nd loco on my train (262) out of Wellington. The lead loco was my favorite Dfb 7282. It's not very often we see or get a DC on our trains in the lower North Island now. Unfortunately, the train wasn't big/heavy enough to have it running. I have also included some photos of the Dc the day before I had it on my train.
Ab 608 at Wellington Depot
26th January 2023.
A bit of scrap metal (I mean history, it would leave the Dl's for dead) parked in the Wellington depot this morning. Ab 608 about to head on to the ferry. Destination the South Island for a few months.
Ross Polkinghorne Photos
24th January 2023.
Ross was out photographing trains on this Monday. I was on 234 heading up to Nat Park for crew change with train 201. Ross sent me his photos of my train at Waiouru (coming out of the loop after crossing 251) and then crossing the Makatote Viaduct. Thanks Ross.
First 200 for 2023
11th Jan 2023.
This was my first passenger train for the new year and the first run for the Northern Explorer for 2023. Favorite Dfb on the head too. Took the train from P Nth to National Park for crew change and home in car. Weather wasn't too bad on way up. On way back thunder, lighting and heavy rain. Flooding across the road in about 6 spots south of Mangaweka. Water even up to rail line in places. Phoned train control and they already new about it, line currently closed waiting for inspection due to conditions. They closed the road just as I cleared the last bit of flooding. Rail line ended up washed out also.