849 departs Arthurs Pass station after doing a crew change. Its about to go down the 8.5km long Otira tunnel on its way to the west coast for another load of coal.

849 passes through the small lakeside village of Moana on its way west for another load of coal.

849 crosses over Kellys Creek with the Southern Alps providing the back drop.

849 races over Crooked River near Moana with an empty coal train destined for Ngakawau. In charge are DXC 5333 and 5258

Train 849 races over Lake Brunner Rd on its way to Ngakawau with 30 empty coal cars.

Empty coal train 849 enters the loop at Moana to allow the Tranz Alpine to pass on the main.

Empty coal train 849 makes its way west toward Ngakawau for another load of coal through the very scenic Midland Line. It wont be long before this area is covered in snow as winter appraoches

“ Thru the Fence” Overlooking the yard from Half Moon Bay Drive. To the left is the closed Metro Enviro Transfer Facility formerly switched by CSX from Croton West Yard. To the right is Metro ... (more)

This view from the pedestrian bridge from Route 9 to the southbound walk up platform. Metro North P32AC-DM 212 is painted in the g string as delivered paint scheme.

If you're ever on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, you owe it to yourself to enjoy what is arguably the Best Burger In the World and perhaps the second best tempura-coated fish a... (more)

While the eastern rail approach to the Southern Alps is more rugged and dramatic, the West Coast (which has unfairly garnered a reputation as having a permanent pall of miserable weather) has a ch... (more)

Empty coal train 849 heads west through the native forest alongside the picturesque Arnold River. DXs 5172+5304

After being holed up for a week at my mother's house due to a "50 year snowstorm" which dumped snow right down to sea level, I took a chance on the first fine day to go train chasing. Here DXs... (more)

Train 849 rounds the S curves near Mt White Bridge, between Cass and Arthurs Pass.

Bottoming out. A pair of DXs in the nasty "Toll Rail" livery bring empty coalie 849 off the grade and into the Otira yard. All very well for descending empties, but loaded trains travelin... (more)