A freight train to Picton crosses lake Grassmere, which has an active salt industry. It produces about 30'000 tons of salt per year, which covers about half of New Zealands salt consumption.
(See photo ID 451287 for the "after"). During July 2013 RRL Grindrod South Africa imported two decommissioned Kiwi Rail / Tranz Rail Class DQ - G12C (DQ6347 / DQ6382) locomotives from New Zealand... (more)
Very nearly at the end of its journey, 7173 sits on the arrival at Palmerston North, waiting entry to the yard after bringing train 545 down from Whareroa.