4444 was originally built by General Motors Canada entering service in 1967 as DA 1526. It was rebuilt in 1979 as DC type (G22AR.) It was painted in MAXX livery with modifications for use on push pull trains for Auckland Transport. After reverting to KiwiRail it has been only the only ex lease DC to be overhauled and, to the delight of rail fans, repainted. The long hood as seen here is basically the original EMD G12.
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.
Not
just heritage schemes, not just commemorative schemes - this album is devoted to some of the world's most interesting paint schemes, past or present.
