DC 4375 & Da 1431 - EMD's on the Main North Line: Spring 2025 (HD)

Following the retirement of KiwiRail's only rail enabled ferry, the 'Aratere' in August 2025, Paekākāriki based Steam Incorporated have expanded part of their heritage fleet to the South Island on a semi permeant basis, to secure future South Island excursions with Pounamu Tourism Group. Da 1431 was transferred first, followed by 6 passenger cars and newly restored DC 4375 in it's flash take of NZ Rail blue, which was completed in the neck of time! Steam locomotive Ab 608 was also transferred but later returned to the North Island by road.

During November 2025, DC 4375 hauled two 'Whale Train' excursions from Christchurch to Kaikoura & return for the Kaikoura races over Marlborough Anniversary Weekend in conjunction with PTG, it's second & third mainline excursions in preservation. Prior to the excursions, the DC & carriages were transferred from Steam Inc's Marlborough base in Spring Creek, Blenheim to Ferrymead, picking up Da 1431 en-route from Waipara. After the excursions, the Da hauled the carriages back north to Blenheim, ahead of the 25/26 Marlborough Flyer season, while DC 4375 stayed behind at Ferrymead.

Thanks to the help of the Weka Pass Railway & Canterbury Railway Society, Steam Incorporated are able to continue operating South Island heritage excursions for the next few years, with the absence of a purpose-built rail ferry for the Cook Strait.