DC 4012 with Steam Incorporated Grand Circle excursion approaches Featherston. This trip runs from Paekakariki to Wellington and then the length of the Wairarapa Line and back to Paekakariki depot via Manawatu Gorge. The ranges were originally overcome by the famous Rimutaka Incline using Fell center rail system. The incline operated until the opening of Rimutaka tunnel 8.5Km (5.5 miles) long which is second longest on KiwiRail network. Locomotives on this route have special fire suppression fitted which restricts use of heritage units such as Steam Incorporated's DA 1431 for this train.
Trains on 3' 6" (1.067m) track from Whangarei to Bluff with virtually heritage rebuilt EMD and GE locomotives still the mainstay power. The network was privatized in 1990's and operated by Toll until 2008 when state owned KiwiRail was established.