An unusual lash up of Mainline Steam's Jb 1236 and DJ 1229 with 7213 and 7049 to add color and the power to get the train back to Plimmerton depot without a relief crew for the steam locomotive. 1236 was a J class built by North British, Glasgow. The DJ class was built by Mitsubishi in 1968-69 and DF class was built by EMD in Canada in 1979.
Trains on 3' 6" (1.067m) track from Whangarei to Bluff with virtually heritage rebuilt EMD and GE locomotives still the mainstay power. The network was privatized in 1990's and operated by Toll until 2008 when state owned KiwiRail was established.
Mainline Steam Heritage Trust operates steam specials throughout New Zealand from depots in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Each year an inter-island Steam Tour attracts fans from around the world. For more visit www.mainlinesteam.co.nz