Metro Port train from Tauranga passes through the south Auckland suburbs and soon arrive at Southdown terminal. The DL class is the first new motive power for KiwiRail and the first Chinese built diesel exported to a western railroad. Built by Dalian Locomotive CNR they have 3600 Hp 20 cylinder German motors.
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.
