The Franklin and Waikato Rail Scene (ft. AM electrics, Te Huia and ETM 798) ~ 29/05/2026 (HD)

Friday the 29th of May was a very busy day, in the sense that I was out filming passenger and freight trains in numerous locations from Paerata to Matamata. The main aim of this trip was to film DFB locomotives on Te Huia (the Hamilton to Auckland commuter train), but I ended up seeing a fair bit more than just Te Huia. ‘twas also the first time I had ever gone trackside in the town of Te Kauwhata (as opposed to just passing through aboard a train). Aside from Te Huia, things to look out for include (but are not limited to) the ‘AM’ electric multiple units on Southern Line services through Paerata, an unexpected appearance from ETM 798 (the rail grinder), two freight trains in Te Kauwhata - and finally - DL 9129 fresh from an overhaul at Hutt Workshops; you’d hardly think she was actually 15 years old. Thinking back to the AMs, two of the units I saw - Nos. 1020 and 1046 - happened to be brand-new units from the batch built in Mexico. #newzealand #railway #trainspotting #railfan #newzealandtourism #scenicrailway #electrictrains