As part of Steam Incorporated's 50th anniversary celebrations, the organisation teamed up with Auckland's Glenbrook Vintage Railway to runthe epic Mountain Thunder excursion, from Paekakariki to Raurimu and return. Providing the power was GVR's DBR 1254, and Steam Inc's DA 1431 and DA 1410, in charge of 19 carriages and an AG van. We follow the train from Longburn to Raurimu on the northbound trip and DA 1410 leading the return trip up the Raurimu Spiral. Making an appearance are a pair of DLs on train 234S overtaking the train at Taihape.
The following day, DBR 1254 returned north from Palmerston North to Glenbrook, running the return journey of the monthly Discover Ruapehu rail tour.