KiwiRail EFs Back On The Trunk (4k) (Drone Footage)

On the Tuesday the 2nd of April 2024 KiwiRail EFs 30163 and 30232 hauled Train 234 from Palmerston North to Hamilton thus completing a Refurbished EFs first full trip on trunk, while there was a few problems with 30163 on the way up, it made it to Hamilton with the trip being fairly smooth. The next day the locos headed south on Train 225 where they were going to cross train 234 that was being pulled by EFs 30226 and 30192, unfortunately this did not happen as 30226 ran into problems through Taihape and 30192 couldn't pull the train by itself as it was too heavy. They made it as far as Turangarere before needing assistance from the DL lifeboats. The EFs were taken off and tied down at the Hihitahi loop to wait for Train 255 to take them home, meanwhile the DLs brought the train up to Waiouru where it crossed 225 and the crews changed over.
Naturally we were there to see and film it all on both days, The footage from the Hihitahi isn't included in this video as there wasn't too much to see, may include it in a separate later video.
While the first few days of running EFs on the trunk were a bit rough things are running a lot smoothly now and the EFs will be a common sight on the trunk again especially with 30042 being signed of for service recently.
Looking forward to filming more EF Hauled Trains.
We also have Steam Incorporated's Spiral Spectacular a train trip from Paekakariki to Raurimu and return with an EF locomotive hauling the train from Palmerston North to Raurimu and back.
More details here:
www.steaminc.o...
Special Thanks to the KiwiRail Crews for a great few days of trunk chases!
Enjoy!

[@FranktheTank-bk8me]

Some very nice drone shots

[@LyfovRyan51]

I'm so grateful that people like yourself are out there recording events like this. The Drone shots are such a great addition.

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Thanks!

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video KiwiRail, Great to see the EF's back on the Main Trunk line, Nice to see the clean and smart livery, compared to the DL's which are not really that old! thanks for sharing

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Thanks! Well, the DLs are worked quite hard, and they do end up going through more tunnels than the EFs.

[@liftrailphotographyinnz3992]

Great shots Matt, my favourite was probably the drone shot of 234 at Taringamotu, looking forward to getting them on film for myself at some point.

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Thanks! They look so good through the king country.

[@Tsass0]

The class 30's look really, really nice

[@bnrailfannz8262]

Just a shame KR hasn't written something on the EF's sides about saving fuel... Anyhoo.... Some really great shots as usual 👍

[@alex97594]

So nice to see electric traction on the Trunk again. Great job on the audio by the way

[@billhudson7286]

At 6:57 the refurbished EF locomotives shown in this clip have a "universal cab" look about them. Finally in production, good to see.

[@peter-sr2pb]

great footage including drone shots.

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Thanks! Not overly happy with some of the 225 shots, but it is what it is considering the trouble I had getting them.😅

[@gaius_enceladus]

Taumarunui, Taumarunui Taumarunui on the Main Trunk Line.......... :)

[@pgchase4578043026]

I notice a fair bit of pantograph arcing. I like the livery.

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Ye just the wires rubbing on the carbon and some of the wires can have frost or other gunk on them

[@paulsheward3325]

They look good, how many are they going to refurbish.

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

15 30007 (waiting) 30013 30042 (done) 30059 (done) 30071 30094 30105 30134 30140 (waiting) 30163 (done) 30192 (done) 30203 30226 (done) 30232 (done) 30249

[@paulsheward3325]

@@KiwiRailSpotter thanks

[@tedstrikertwa800]

That's a hybrid train! Why do the they need the DL's, or are they just a long for the ride?

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

Back up in case anything happens.

[@tedstrikertwa800]

@@KiwiRailSpotter Is this just a running in period because of their recent refurb?

[@KiwiRailSpotter]

@@tedstrikertwa800 Ye only temporary