Its getting dry.

New Zealand is in the grips of a 'dry'. So far only the Northland region has been officially declared as having a drought, but many regions are getting close if they aren't already there.  While East Otago is in better shape than many other regions, the lack of rain is starting to have an effect... just ask a local farmer.

With a rare day off from work, I decided to head out and catch some of Kiwi Rails finest working their way through the dry East Otago landscape.

A short trip down from my place and I was ready to snap 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight as it approached the Goodwood Road crossing just south of Palmerston.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 approach Palmerston light engines. 27/02/2013.

After watching the two locomotives rumble past, I headed up the Palmerston yard to watch 5356 and 7036 pick up five empty 'goldies' for the trip north to Christchurch.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 couple up to some empty 'goldies' in the Palmerston yard.

Once again heading north I stopped at a spot I use from time to time to catch short trains in front of the local landmark. Behind 922 is Puketapu hill. The monument seen at the very top is a cairn dedicated to the prominent early Otago politician Sir John McKenzie. As you can see its starting to get dry in East Otago.  

922 cruises north beneath a dry Puketapu.

The LE in charge of 922 wasn't wasting any time and it wasn't until Shag Point when I managed to get past him. Continuing north I decided to try a new spot at the old Katiki station site. The spot isn't the greatest but I really like the concrete over bridge which carries state highway one across the main south line. Pity about the camper van in the background.

922 rumbles beneath the overbridge at Katiki.

By the time I got onto state highway one and managed to get around the camper van 922 was through Hillgrove and climbing up to Hampton. With only some hit or miss spots near by I decided to continue onto Herbert, one of favourite railway locations in New Zealand. I didn't have to wait long before 922 appeared and I was able to get my last shot of the day.

DXC 5356 and DFT 7036 provide plenty of power for 922 as they race past the home signal and loop points at the south end of Herbert station.

Some shots from my normal chasing area and one from a little north. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Wednesday afternoon. 

And that's about it.

Time flies

I can't believe its almost a month since my last post. Time flies. 

With summer beginning its slow wind down, I thought I should get out and grab some shots of Kiwi Rails finest passing through the dry East Otago countryside. 

At Merton, I was able to catch up with my normal targets, 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight and 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight. A DXC and DC made up the whole consist of 922 so I made the easy decision to chase 923 south.

Southbound 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight climbs out of Merton after a crossing and crew change with 922. 13/02/13.

After grabbing a shot of 923 as it left Merton I hit the road and headed south. Just north of Seacliff I found this spot. It wasn't long before 923 arrived and I was able to grab a great shot.

922 cruises along the East Otago coast between Merton and Seacliff. In the background is the Otago peninsular and the entrance to Otago harbour. 13/02/13.

Between Seacliff and Warrington, the coast road and the main south line cross several times as both wind through the shifting hillsides above the Pacific ocean. Just before I got to each crossing the lights and alarms would activate meaning I had to grab shots from the car window. Thanks to the wonders of digital photography even these shots came out alright.

DXC 5327 and DC 4726 drag 922 around the horseshoe curve just south of Seacliff. 13/02/13. 

Rushed shot of DXC 5327 while waiting at a level crossing. 13/02/13.

With the last of the crossings out of the way and 922 being held up at a temporary stop board, I was able to get ahead and grab some shots as it passed through Waitati.

923 cruises into Waitati on the main. 13/02/13.

The cheesy 3/4 shot.

And the going away shot as 923 climbs out of Waitati. 13/02/13.

What a great way to spend a free afternoon.

And thats about it...

Can we chase it? Why not!

I was outside throwing a rugby ball with my son when we heard a loud horn from down in town. "I think its a train. Can we chase it?" I have a very persuasive son and we were soon on the road heading south. 

We caught up with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight at the Wairunga track warrant control sign and managed to get ahead of it to grab a very average landscape shot.

A poor attempt at a landscape shot. DXC 5520 and DCP 4755 lead a well loaded 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight south of Flag Swamp. 17/01/13.

We hit the road again and leap frogged 923. I made a snap decision to try a spot above the former Waikouaiti station site and just made it to grab this shot out the car window. The original shot was pretty poor but digital photography is a fantastic thing. With some trimming it didn't come out too bad.

923 cruises through the former Waikouaiti station site. 17/01/13.

Continuing south we found 923 holding the main at Merton and decided to keep heading south to Seacliff. This is a pretty gutsy decision because the Main South Line disappears from view for long periods. It isn't hard to pass a train along this section of line without even knowing it.

Arriving at Seacliff we waited with fingers crossed for northbound 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight. 

A very tired Seacliff station. No longer in use. 17/01/13.

The gamble paid off when we heard the crossing bells activate to the south of Seacliff and it wasn't long before 922 appeared with DFT 7036 and DXC 5425 in the lead.

DFT 7036 and DXC 5425 with a short train of containers heads north on 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight through Seacliff. 17/01/13.

I grabbed a going away shot of 922 as it passed through the disused Seacliff yard. I have heard of trains crossing here but have never seen a crossing here myself. After the northern loop points were removed due to damage from a recent derailment, the crossing loop became unusable. Hopefully the loop will be reinstated but in all probability the loop and dead end siding will be removed.

Same train heading away. I took this photo just to show the Seacliff yard. The north points have been disconnected after a derailment. I'm standing on the gravel stop at the end of the dead end siding. 17/01/13. 

Hitting the road again but this time heading north we passed 922 as it snaked its way around the many tight curves between Seacliff and Merton. Above Karitane I grabbed another shot of 922 as it began its descent to Merton and its crossing and crew change with 923.

922 Dunedin - Middleton freight on the Main South Line above Karitane. 17/01/13.

We stopped at Merton for a short time before getting on the road again to get a shot of 922 at Tumai but we didn't stand a chance. The Timaru driver wasn't wasting anytime in heading home. With no empty 'goldies' to pick up at Palmerston, it was a battle to stay ahead of the fast moving 922. Somehow I managed to get ahead of 922 and got this very rushed shot at one of my favourite spots. 

922 cruises along the East Otago coast between Shag Point (I kid you not) and Katiki. 17/01/13. 

I decided to continue north and try a spot just outside of Hampton. A wrong turn and a rapidly approaching 922 put paid to any more chasing. On the bright side we were able to stop at the fine fare store at Hampton for an ice cream. For any railfans chasing in the North / East Otago area. Stop here! The ice cream is good and the scoops are enormous. You won't be disappointed. 

And that's about it...

Something out of the ordinary

DXB 5051 with an unidentified DFT / DFB with a loaded 'milkie' crawls down the west loop at Marton. 19/12/12.

So far the new year has been a rough one. We've recently had two deaths in the family. One expected and one very much not expected. To be honest chasing trains is the last thing on my mind so don't be surprised if this blog is a little quiet over the near future.

Just to keep things ticking over, I thought I would post something out of the ordinary for this blog.  I didn't get a chance to do any chasing around Marton, my old home town for obvious reasons but I did grab this shot of a 'milkie'.

As things get back to normal at home, hopefully the blog gets back to normal as well. 

Wishing you a great new years

DXB 5080 cruises northbound along the Main South Line just north of Bushey with a solid train of 'goldies'. 21/12/12.

With midnight almost upon us, I want to wish everybody out there a happy new years and all the best for 2013. All going well, this blog will keep bringing you shots of Kiwi Rail working hard in Otago.

So take care of yourselves and we'll see you back in 2013.

Out chasing again... about time!

I finally got out the door on Monday and caught up with 923 as it headed south on the Main South Line. On point was a very clean DFT 7199. Coincidence or not, it follows on nicely from my last post on the DFT's.

DFT 7199 and DC 4133 depart Merton with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight. 10/12/12

After grabbing a shot of 923 as it left Merton, I decided to continue south and get another shot at Seacliff. Not long after arriving beside the rather tired looking Seacliff station shelter, 923 appeared around the curve and entered Seacliff station limits on the main.

923 passing through Seacliff. 10/12/12.

With another shot of 923 on the memory card, it was time to head home. 

Half way home I caught sight of a work train heading south. A quick u-turn and I was on the chase again. Slowed by a track speed restriction, I managed to get ahead of the train and make it to Tumai for a rushed shot of DC's 4640 and 4876 and their train of YJ ballast wagons as they headed back to Dunedin. 

DC 4640 and DC 4876 on work train duty climbing up to Tumai. 10/12/12.

And that's about it...

Farewell to the DFT's?

DFT 7145 waits at Woodville for a crew change before heading into the 'bay' on the Palmerston North - Gisborne Line (PNGL). 26/06/07. Please Note: This photo was taken with the permission and under the supervision of the train crew.

Well, work, family and study haven't let up. I just can't seem to get out the door and chase a few of kiwi rails finest at work here in East Otago.
So I've decided to dig into the archives and bring out a few shots from the past.

Over on steel ribbons, the best New Zealand railway blog in my humble opinion (check it out on the links), Andrew has predicted the demise of the DFT class locos within the next few years. The DFT's have been great servants for Kiwi Rail and have done their fair share of hard yards on the Main South Line.

So here's a few shots of the DFT class at work across NZ, mainly on the  North Auckland Line (NAL) and in East Otago on the MSL.

DFT 7051 leads a 'coalie' south through Pukekohe. 12/10/05.

'Bumblebee' DFT 7282 sits in the loop at Waitakere waiting for a break in the suburban traffic before heading south to Westfield yard. 07/09/06.

DFT 7160 climbs out of Helensville on the MSL. 08/09/06.

 DFT 7160 cruises south through Kumeu on the NAL with a train of logs. 08/09/06.

DFT 7335 with an unidentified sibling rest at Auckland's, Westfield yard. 22/03/08.

DFT 7077 leads 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight along the coast near Shag Point on the East Otago coast. 19/04/10.

With DFT 7199 in the lead, 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight climbs out of Merton. 22/04/10.

DFT 7008 in Kiwi Rail livery cruises through Merton on the main with 923 freight. 14/05/10.

DFT 7023 cruises into Merton with a short 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight. 28/09/10.

DFT 7117 with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight enters the main at Merton for a crew change and crossing with DFT 7023 on 922 Middleton - Dunedin freight. Soon the Timaru and Dunedin LE's will begin their journeys home. 28/09/10.

DFT 7023 with DC 4755 lead 961 Middleton - Dunedin freight across the Shag river bridge just south of Bushey. 02/10/10.

 And that's about it...

Time for a catch up.

Well, what can I say. Sorry for the lack of posts over the last week or two. Between family, work and study I haven't had much spare time to chase along the South Island main trunk line through beautiful East Otago.

So I've decided to go back into the archives and post some shots of the Taieri Gorge Railway train festival held at Middlemarch over labour weekend 2009.

Vulcan railcar RM56 rests at Middlemarch between services. 24/10/09.

The good people at the Taieri Gorge Railway (TGR), Mainline Steam and the Diesel Traction Group (DTG) came together to recreate the 1960's and 70's era on the Central Otago railway.

The Central Otago railway is a favourite line of mine. The line between Middlemarch and Clyde was lifted in the early 90's but fortunately the people of Dunedin realised the potential of the Taieri Gorge portion of the line between Wingatui and Middlemarch and it was retained for use by excursion trains operated by the TGR.

The remaining track bed between Middlemarch and Clyde was converted into a cycle trail. The world famous Central Otago Rail Trail has brought much needed economic benefits to the area and rejuvenated the towns it passes through.

Anyway, enough background. Time for some trains.

Ab 663 ready to depart Middlemarch with a mixed train. 24/10/09.

Vulcan railcar RM 56 approaches Middlemarch. 24/10/09.

English Electric Dg 772 waits in a siding as RM 56 slows for its stop at Middlemarch station. 26/10/09.

Ab 663 departs Middlemarch with a mixed train as Dg 772 waits in the yard with a goods train. 24/10/09.

Dg 772 waits on a siding. 24/10/2009.

Dg 772 and Dj 1209 ready to depart on another goods train. Sorry for the poor attempt at getting a 1970's photo look. 26/10/09.

Sutton railway station waits in the sunshine for its next train.

A great weekend, with some fantastic locomotives on one of New Zealand's greatest rail lines. 

And that's about it...

Just the one photo today

DJ 3228 leads the Seasider passenger service into Palmerston. 9/11/12.

Between work and family, I haven't been able to get out much lately. I did however make a break for it this morning and got a shot of Taieri Gorge Railway's Seasider train as it arrived in Palmerston. 

DJ 3228 had the honours as it hauled the seasider from Dunedin to Palmerston and return.

Hopefully the weather holds and I get a chance to get out the door next week for a decent chase and some more photos of the rail related happenings around East Otago.

And that's about it.

And a few more shots for a Thursday

You have to love holidays. Got my jobs done around the house, fitted in some study and even tidied up the house a bit to stay in the good books with the wife and all before 2 pm. With the sun out I decided a quick chase was in order, so I headed out the door and managed to catch one of my favourite services, 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight as it crested the Tumai bank. Main south line regular DFT 7023  was on point in its re-branded Toll Rail livery with DXB 5016 formerly of the North Island providing assistance. 

DFT 7023 and DXB 5016 lead 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight at Tumai. 1/11/12.

And a close up shot.

A quick trip north and I caught up with 922 at the Goodwood Road crossing as it made its way into Palmerston. 

With horn blasting and ditch lights flashing DFT 7023, DXB 5016 and 922 approach Goodwood Road crossing just south of Palmerston yard.

Not bad for an hours work. 

And that's about it....

A few shots for a Tuesday

Got out for a little bit this afternoon with the aim of catching 923 on its journey south to Dunedin. I caught up with 923 north of Hampton and managed to grab a shot as it crossed the Big Kuri stream.

DXC 5039 crosses Big Kuri stream just north of Hampden. 30/10/12.

Further south I got this shot of 923 just south of Palmerston as it headed to Merton for a crossing and crew change with 922 Dunedin - Middleton freight.

DXC 5039 with 923 Middleton - Dunedin freight south of Palmerston. 30/10/12.

Not a great day chasing with cloud in all the wrong places but still nice to get out and about.

And that's about it...