DFB 7322 assists 7267 on a train of dairy products from the Fonterra factory near Hawera. The line north of Whanganui abounds in 1 in 35 or 3% grades with tight curves making it one of the most testing routes on the KiwiRail network.
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.