My perspective of DAs 1431 and 1410 when they hauled a Steam Incorporated excursion to Raurimu. I joined them at National Park on the northbound run, then followed them back down the NIMT as Waiouru.
This was the first time I had properly seen any DA locomotives out on the mainline. Previously I saw 1431 leaving Hamilton, then more recently 1410 and 1431 were in Paekakariki yard on one of Steam Inc's open days (and I got to sit in the driver's seat of DA 1410).
The DAs are an iconic New Zealand diesel locomotive, and 146 of them were built between 1955 and 1967. They were actually a standard General Motors export model; the EMD G12, and 85 of them were built as the DC class. Six un-rebuilt DAs are preserved, namely the class leader 1400, 1401, 1410, 1429, 1431 and 1471.
(If you'd like to see an alternative take on this DA-hauled excursion, Mr. Muffin Trains has you covered):
• DA's 1431 & 1410 on St...
31 янв 2022
