Train photos

[nzqf182]

Anyone snap any of the 6Car ADL's that where in Auction this weekend.

You know how much they sold for?

Ah need more coffee!

I think we will have to wait around another 20 years before they auction them off. Then I'm sure it will be a $1 reserve on Trademe

[vworp]

I can't imagine ADK4s would go at all even if there was a $1 reserve

Still, it's a unique part of our railway history in Auckland. Both the Ks and Ls have featured in Auckland's landscape throughout many means. We have to recognize the good, the bad and the ugly!

[greenwelly]

I can't imagine ADK4s would go at all even if there was a $1 reserve

I am sure there would be some foamer just waiting for the opportunity to stick a car on the back yard of their pensioner flat

[john-ston]

Still, it's a unique part of our railway history in Auckland. Both the Ks and Ls have featured in Auckland's landscape throughout many means. We have to recognize the good, the bad and the ugly!

And for that matter, the Western Australians might want some of their railway heritage back - unfortunately, little of WAs rail heritage survived; of all the DMU classes that once travelled along the rails in Western Australia, I believe that only the DMUs that made it here and a couple of ADGs that survived. The ADE/ADTs and ADF/ADUs were scrapped in the 1970s I believe; almost all the ADGs faced the scrappers torch and I suspect that none of the ADHs, the ADXs or ADAs survived the scrappers torch.

[geoff_184]

A few recent videos from Hawke's Bay:

687 Freight Passing Holt Forest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLb1qx0fyJ0

DFB 7241 and DC 4409 head a 11-total empty fert train past Holt Forest, near Waikoau, on the Napier-Gisborne line, at 1343hrs on Sunday 16th October, 2011.

Train 627 Crossing Ngaruroro River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crd27hMT5ow

DFB 7267 with 25 wagons in tow, crosses the Ngaruroro River bridge at Awatoto, enroute from Napier to Palmerston North, at 1822hrs on Thursday 13th October, ...

627 Express Freight Departing Napier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmzlgarY1g

DXB 5051 heads onto the Marine Parade as it leaves Napier, at 1828hrs on Wednesday 12th October, 2011.

Long Freight Train Ambles Through Napier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_KzStE--kA

Locomotives DFB 7239, DXB 5108 and DXB 5022 lead a lengthy 49 wagon freight, train 629, through Napier at 2234hrs on Friday 14th October, 2011. Other weekday nights h...

Tripled-headed Train 627 Departs Ahuriri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74kAUnG5HFs

DC 4409, DFB 7241 and DC 4438 depart Ahuriri at 1900hrs on Monday 17th October, 2011, with 31 wagons in tow, including USQ, USL and UKN class log wagons on t...

Trains 627 and 628 at Awatoto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuHzv9N3ur0

DXB 5016 leads train 628 northbound into Awatoto, while DXB 5108 and DC 4012 wait in the loop with train 627 for the crossing, at 1834hrs on Thursday 20th Oc...

Gisborne Freight Arrives in Ahuriri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZOxVOLSmuQ

DFB 7267 arriving at Ahuriri yard in Napier at 1753hrs on Thursday 20th October 2011, with 15 wagons in tow, including timber from Wairoa, containers from Gi...

627 Express Freight at Ruahapia Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-GfcbXN14w

DXB 5120 and DC 4012 lead a 35-total train 627 across the bridge near Ruahapia Road, just south of Whakatu, at 1856hrs on 20th October, 2011.

Napier Port Shunt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqiGvM61jbE

DSG 3264 hauls a rake of containers from Napier Port to Ahuriri, at 1551hrs on Tuesday 11th October, 2011.

Hastings Shunt at Pandora Junction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQHPg-b1P3E

Locomotive DSG 3264 heads the afternoon Hastings shunt through the eastern curve of the triangle junction at Pandora, off the Napier Port Branch and onto the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line, at 1552hrs on Wednesday 19th October, 2011. DSG 3264 has been based in Napier its entire working career, from September 1983 to the current day.

Helicopter Aerial Spraying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfG3M1WZJ3U

A chopper undertakes some aerial spraying beside Farndon Road, near Whakatu between Napier and Hastings, at 1844hrs on Thursday 20th October, 2011.

[geoff_184]

Sunday's 130 at Glen Eden:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDVGhLNXyKA

[geoff_184]

Two Helensville trains crossing at Waitakere on Sunday morning:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Yf-yxacLo

[geoff_184]

I seem to be hijacking this thread, but two more videos:

627 Freight through the fountain in Hastings week before last:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdNRruYZdPw

DSG 3264 running on the mainline:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev-0O9nMbx4

[pcuser42]

I'll make up for it by adding a few photos

ET 3160 leading a four car Ganz across the Hutt River near Silverstream


FT 4149 trailing across the Hutt River near Pomare


EM 1217 passing over fisherman at the entrance to the Porirua Harbour


Overlander loco change at Palmerston North, with DFT 7322 and EF 30071


And finally, the Overlander terminating at Papakura Platform 3

[Andrew]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdNRruYZdPw

So did that kid get away from the barrier arm in time or get his chin whacked? You stopped the vid just before we could find out!

[geoff_184]

130 Freight on Waitangi Day, north of Swanson:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCVybZmzM_s

Much smaller than usual.

[CarAudioGuy21]

[vworp]

Ooo, I like.

[CarAudioGuy21]

Enjoy

[RedgeNZ]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I am new to this.

What is the best way to spot trains? I have a 5 year old son who is crazy about them, the big freight ones especially.
Do they have timetables etc? Where are the best spots in Auckland to see trains?


Thanks

[PurelyNuts01]

Best Place to catch frequent action is Westfield Station right by the main freight/passenger train yard and at Papakura Station/

{Edit yes kaiwhara I saw the mistake as soon as I typed it but this has been the first chance to get to it and correct it}. My apologies, asking the Signaller directly at Papakura was a daft move on my part. However you could ask the ticket booth down at the station and they might be able to forward you to the correct place for enquires to find out when Freighters are due through Papakura Station. Or as I said below there is a Metro Port that does pass through in the morning on a regular basis

You can catch (if the buggers are on time) a regular metro-port freighter that is meant to run between the 7:30 and 7:40am Papakura to Britomart services at Papakura Station as it heads to Southdown.

[kaiwhara]

Clearly PurelyNuts01 you are a staff member involved in the Railways in Auckland. Therefore you should know better than to suggest people ask the Signal Box Controller when Freight Trains are due, they have a job to do, and they have enough on their plate as it is without dealing with members of the public - particularly as Papakura is a worksite currently.

As a former Signalman at a very busy location myself I can assure you we have better things to do that run a public information service. I have no problem with Railway Enthusiasts as long as they do not interfere with people performing safety critical roles such as those undertaken by a Signal Box Controller!

Best Place to catch frequent action is Westfield Station right by the main freight/passenger train yard and at Papakura Station/

You should be able to ask the signaller at Papakura (who is in the Station) to see when freight trains are due. Ask for the Metro Port freighters as they are usually the biggest and loudest when they roar though.

You can catch (if the buggers are on time) a regular metro-port freighter that is meant to run between the 7:30 and 7:40am Papakura to Britomart services at Papakura Station as it heads to Southdown.

[Rail-it]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I am new to this.

What is the best way to spot trains? I have a 5 year old son who is crazy about them, the big freight ones especially.
Do they have timetables etc? Where are the best spots in Auckland to see trains?


Thanks

Well don't go doing what I seen last week(Friday to remind him if he happens to be reading at the moment!!!).

At Manuroa Rd level xing photographer was taking ground shot of approaching SA on the Down main from the Dowm main side. He was well outside the pedestrian barriers stationairy on the ground while the train approached and past. He would have been lucky to be 1 metre clear of the train... a very very high risk position to put one self in.

Might I suggest sticking to the platforms and overhead bridges, hilltops etc. wherever it's safe to do so.

I had a close friend who was right up there with rail photography, and also a part of rail staff, and even he learnt the hard way... slipping and falling down on the Raurimu spiral during the early '90's and injuring himself quite badly while taking shots. So, there you go people even familiar with surroundings take risks they shouldn't, but is it really worth taking such a risk as that?

I don't know about professional photography in great detail, but I believe a high powered zoom lenses are handy.

Like Kaiwhara said too, annoying the signaller may not be the best idea.

[vworp]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I am new to this.

What is the best way to spot trains? I have a 5 year old son who is crazy about them, the big freight ones especially.
Do they have timetables etc? Where are the best spots in Auckland to see trains?


Thanks

Well don't go doing what I seen last week(Friday to remind him if he happens to be reading at the moment!!!).

At Manuroa Rd level xing photographer was taking ground shot of approaching SA on the Down main from the Dowm main side. He was well outside the pedestrian barriers stationairy on the ground while the train approached and past. He would have been lucky to be 1 metre clear of the train... a very very high risk position to put one self in.

Might I suggest sticking to the platforms and overhead bridges, hilltops etc. wherever it's safe to do so.

I had a close friend who was right up there with rail photography, and also a part of rail staff, and even he learnt the hard way... slipping and falling down on the Raurimu spiral during the early '90's and injuring himself quite badly while taking shots. So, there you go people even familiar with surroundings take risks they shouldn't, but is it really worth taking such a risk as that?

I don't know about professional photography in great detail, but I believe a high powered zoom lenses are handy.

Like Kaiwhara said too, annoying the signaller may not be the best idea.

Always remember that if you want to be a rail enthusiast for a while, it pays to follow the safety regulations, otherwise you may not live to take another snap! When I'm actually out there taking photos (and I haven't for some time), I wear hi-vis and keep clear of the tracks as far as I can. Don't even try to walk on to the corridor - it's not designed to have pedestrians walking around on it as some parts are rather narrow and don't allow you much clearance from the track.

Invest in a radio scanner (if you're the older railfan) and tune into some of the RF of LEs talking to train control, etc. That can give you clues as to delays, current position etc. You won't hear train control, but you may hear the drivers. Oh, and don't ever disseminate the information you hear over the radio to anyone else as this is an offence. There is nothing stopping you from using a radio scanner for personal use otherwise.

[c46andc47]

Always remember that if you want to be a rail enthusiast for a while, it pays to follow the safety regulations, otherwise you may not live to take another snap! When I'm actually out there taking photos (and I haven't for some time), I wear hi-vis and keep clear of the tracks as far as I can. Don't even try to walk on to the corridor - it's not designed to have pedestrians walking around on it as some parts are rather narrow and don't allow you much clearance from the track.

If you are not on the rail corridor why do you need a hi-viz?

To put it another way you only need a hi-viz if you intend to tresspass