DC 4818, DBR 1254 and the Kaimai Express to Tauranga ~ 02/05/2026 (HD)

In early May 2026, the Glenbrook Vintage Railway ran a sold-out excursion train to Tauranga, using their own diesel locomotives DC 4818 and DBR 1254 (with their distinctive yellow coaches). Curiously, the excursion was named 'Kaimai Express' after the Auckland to Tauranga service that operated from 1991 to 2001 (using the Silver Fern railcars). Whilst they were in the Bay of Plenty, the GVR's train ran two side trips - one to Mount Maunganui and the other to Whatakao (near the Kaimai Tunnel). This video mainly focuses on the Whatakao trip, as that was the one on which I travelled; $40 well spent, if you ask me. This visit from the GVR's mainline train was very significant on a personal level, as it was the first time I had seen an excursion in my local area in a staggering 14 years; I can't quite believe the wait was that long. For the longest time, I thought mainline excursions would continue to avoid the Bay of Plenty for one reason or another. (feel free to check out the Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s Facebook page and website): https://www.facebook.com/glenbrookvintagerailway https://www.gvr.org.nz/ (I am not sponsored) As for an explanation behind my nicknames for DC 4818 and DBR 1254, they first came about in October 2024, when we heard the Sharon O’Neil song ‘Maxine’ on the radio as we arrived in Waharoa to watch DC 4818 on her mainline test run. Some time later, I tried to think of a nickname for DBR 1254, which I thought should be another song title starting with ‘M’ for the sake of consistency. Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’ was the first one that came to mind, and the rest is history. In saying that, I’d still take Toni’s more obscure song ‘Over My Head’ over her one big hit any day). #newzealand #newzealandtourism #train #kiwirail #scenicrailway #scenictrainride #railway #trainspotting