In mid-August 2008 the heaviest snowfalls since 1974 hit the famed Arthurs Pass route across New Zealand's Southern Alps. The highway across the mountains was closed for two days and while the parallel Midland Railway remained open, significant snow drifts buried several crossing loops and forced KiwiRail to run several 'ploughing' light engine movements during 14, 15 and 16 August. The first such movement on the western side of the range for 16 August was this run of DC4277 and DC4640 passing through Aickens en route from Greymouth to Arthurs Pass early in the morning.
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.
