Home Videos Ordering Equipment News Links

Railfan Diaries

    The complete list of videos   

This page contains the complete catalogue of videos that have been produced, listed in order of release.

Download a printable version here:

New Prices effective 1 August 2011

   

 

 

 

Auckland City Rails

My first attempt at making a 60 minute video with the footage I obtained around Auckland. Features mainline trackside action from South Auckland, shots from the Orakei and Newmarket tunnels, overhead shots from the yard at the Port and a lot of shunting action from Westfield.

$7.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

 

Matamata to the Mount - 2009 Edition

For a number of months after releasing the original 2001 version of "Matamata", I continued to return to the Bay of Plenty with the intention of making another video from this area. The locations were supposed to cover Mt Maunganui to Kawerau and Murupara.

It didn't happen. So with the footage I had sitting around, I've added it to the original "Matamata" and come up with this version - the 2009 Edition. I would've like to have done a total re-edit of the entire production but I never kept the original footage, so I've cleaned up as much as I can, removed some really bad shots and spliced in the additional footage where appropriate.

$7.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Auckland City Rails 2

Heading West

Footage gathered whilst seeking new locations. Twenty minutes of steam action from Mainline Steam, Parnell, the former Auckland Railway Station, Waimauku, Waitakere tunnel and Helensville. Followed by 40 minutes of freight and Metro action from Henderson west to Helensville. Features pacing shots and the new yellow and black 'Bumble Bee' paint scheme.

$7.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Waiouru Wanderings

Taihape to Tangiwai

Filmed over 8 days of glorious autumn weather, covering areas from Taihape, the Turangarere Horseshoe curve, Waiouru, Tangiwai and Karioi. Mostly EF Class electric locos but diesels do make appearances.

Some interesting lighting conditions enhance a very dry landscape.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

 

Waikato Hotshots

Franklin to Hamilton

We start off witnessing the changeover of the diesel locos to the electric locos on the southbound Overlander at Hamilton Station, take a brief look at the Te Rapa Yards, the Hamilton City Bridge and tunnel, then it's off up north to have a look at the Huntly coal mines, then further north to the Glenbrook Steel Mill, and finally a lot of trackside shots from various areas in between. Features a close up 'in your face' pacing shot at East Huntly, coal loading at the two mines and some very high speed freights.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

   

USA Rails

Midwestern Encounters

Starts off at West Bottoms in Kansas City Missouri to see some big Union Pacific trains, then off to Benson in Arizona for more high speed Union Pacific freights, San Diego California where the BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) Railway is king. Lots of Amtrak California action, including a ride to Fullerton, and a ride in the San Diego Trolley. We finish off at Fullerton California - a great place to watch trains.
Note:
If you'd like the two hour version of this production, then please specify USA Rails Special Edition. This special 2 hour version has no introduction, no narration, more trains from Kansas City, San Diego and Fullerton, and takes a brief look at the San Diego Model Railway Club.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL 60/120  min

USA Rails 2

America's Mightiest

A repeat visit to the USA six months later produced enough footage to make another two videos. This first one features lots of CSX action from Washington DC and Alexandria Virginia, and more high speed Union Pacific action from Benson Arizona.

Lots of Amtrak action - including the USPS Roadrailers.

All CSX and Amtrak trains are identified by number, origin and destination.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

USA Rails 3

Missouri Revisited

This final installment features a variety of roads from North Kansas City Missouri including Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern and Iowa Chicago & Eastern (ICE), where there's lots of manifest freights (mixed freights) and autoracks. We then head north to check out the intense BNSF action from Saint Joseph Missouri. Lots of very long, high speed coal trains and manifest freights. Hotbox and dragging equipment detectors are caught on tape as well.

"If you have a thing for the BNSF SD70MAC's - get this one."

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Ruapehu Rails

Ohakune to Te Kuiti

Ruapehu Rails covers rail action on the North Island Main Trunk Railway between the towns of Ohakune in the south, and Te Kuiti in the north. Areas covered include Horopito, Raurimu, National Park, the Piriaka lookout and Taumarunui.

 

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL
 

Canadian Thunder

Canadian Thunder covers rail action entering and leaving Canadian National's Walker Yard in Edmonton, Alberta.

A huge variety of rolling stock and locomotives. Filmed over 2 weekends, this could easily have been a two hour production owing to the length of the trains, so the final production is heavily edited to keep things interesting. Only the shorter locals / transfers plus three main line trains are shown in their entirety.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Note: I've made a two hour version of this program and if you really want it, then please specify Canadian Thunder Unlimited Edition. This two hour, two disc version has no introduction, no narration, no identifier subtitles and you get to see the whole train....some of them are very long and slow.

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL 60/120 min

Canterbury's Coal Line

Lyttelton to Otira

Canterbury's Coal Line  takes in trackside rail action from Lyttelton to Otira via Addington Station, Templeton, Rolleston, Darfield, Springfield, Cass, and Arthurs Pass. The footage was taken over the Christmas and New Year's break of 2003 and 2006. The three year gap is evident with the change in corporate identity.  The Tranzalpine gets a big showing, as do the abundant coal trains that roll over the Midland line to Rolleston, then swing north on the main South Line to Christchurch and Lyttelton. The program concludes with an extended length coal train trial between Otira and Arthurs Pass where 7 DX's haul in excess of 40 coal wagons through the Otira tunnel.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Released by Silver & Ballard as NZ Rail Documentary Series Volume 8

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Auckland City Rails 3

Westfield to Wellsford

Auckland City Rails 3 covers rail action in the Auckland area. Locations featured are: Otahuhu station, the Metroport at Westfield, Newmarket, the Auckland City Port, the old Auckland Railway Station, Britomart, the Orakei Basin and various locations along the North Auckland Line from Morningside through to Ranui, Waimauku and Helensville.   We then jump north to Wellsford where the team on the Whangarei shunt are found to be sorting 4 wheeler log wagons, with the video ending chasing this shunt north back towards home.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Released by Silver & Ballard as NZ Rail Documentary Series Volume 11
 
Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Rangitikei Rails
Taihape to Feilding

This video kicks off by the small settlement of Mataroa, just north of Taihape, and heads south finishing at Feilding. Areas covered include Taihape, Hunterville, Silverhope, Marton, Greatford, Kakariki, Halcombe and Maewa. The focus is on the longer freights that run between Wellington and Auckland, although the Overlander and a few locals manage to sneak in.

A couple of great shots of the Rangitikei Bridge South are included. Surprisingly, this one took four years to put together. I think the wait has been worth it as only the very best of all the footage I've gathered made it to this one.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Rangitikei Rails 2
The Steam Shots

75 minutes of pure steam action in a modern setting. RR2 begins in Feilding where we piece together the sequence of events that take place during "Steam Sunday's" - where the northbound Overlander is hauled from Feilding to Taihape by a steam loco with the loco being pre-positioned in the loop track and eventually connecting onto the Overlander upon its arrival.   Once we sort all this out, we're on our way North with lots of run-by shots from Feilding through to Taihape, ending with a couple of snow shots from Waiouru and Tangiwai. The focus is on Feilding Steam's Wab 794, however the Ja and the Ab make appearances with some excursion runs.

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 16:9 Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Note: A small number of shots were filmed with an older camera in Standard Vision. Viewable size will change during playback of the Widescreen version.

   
Rangitikei Rails 3
Summer Hotshots

In this production we kick off at Palmerston North and head our way north through the passing loops at Milson, Bunnythorpe, Feilding, Maewa, Rangitawa (Halcombe), Greatford and finally at Marton where the loop connects onto the multitude of tracks at the Marton Junction. Filmed between 2005 and 2009, we're treated to various liveries, with a good helping of the new KiwiRail paint scheme making a few appearances.  The program ends with something a little different - 12 minutes of scale rail action from the Palmerston North Esplanade Scenic Railway - a surprisingly pleasant escape from the big stuff.       

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL
USA Rails 4
High Speed Highlights

63 minutes of the best shots from the USA Rails series, this compilation features medium to high speed shots from Saint Joseph Missouri, Alexandria Virginia, Benson Arizona, Fullerton California and Kansas City Missouri.   This production started out as a personal project that I created to suit my own interests - long trains cracking along at a high pace. I'm now sharing this with you and has become Part 4 of the USA Rails series. No intro music, just a brief intro narration with minimal subtitles to identify the location. Lots of coal trains, lots of intermodal trains, all going 50 - 80 km/hr with airhorns blasting. If this is what you like, then it comes highly recommended - at the end you'll wonder how one hour went so fast. 

$10.00 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL
Electrics on Parade

Electrics on Parade is 60 minutes of rail action from Feilding to Ohakune featuring New Zealand's KiwiRail Class EF Electric Locomotives hauling freight and passenger trains between Wellington and Auckland. The EF's, originally designated Class 30, were introduced in 1988 - 89 and despite their age, have proven to be a worthy locomotive ideally suited to New Zealand's unique conditions. They show little outward signs of strain getting up to track speed and make the tough job of hauling 50 plus freight cars through the central North Island's numerous curves and inclines look easy. 
This production features freight and passenger trains making numerous run-by's, as well as a few pacing shots and many night shots filmed under floodlights.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Read the NZ Railfan review here. Adobe reader required. Used with permission.

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Diesels on Parade

Flaunting its new livery, and with justifiable pride, New Zealand's KiwiRail has embarked on a challenge to re-brand its loco fleet and bring it into line with its new corporate image.
Diesels on Parade is 60 minutes of ground shaking diesel rail action from the Tararua, Manawatu, Rangitikei, Wanganui and Ruapehu districts and features many locos in the KiwiRail livery.
Featured are the seasonal milk trains and the ever present mixed freights. From bright, sunlit skies to golden sunsets to floodlit night shots, this compilation features KiwiRail doing what it does well.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Night Movers
 
The installation of new platform security lights at the Marton Junction has had the added advantage of providing photographers with a source of bright, white light that is ideally suited to night time photography. Even in the middle of the night, the Marton Junction can be a busy place, with many trains meeting here or passing through within minutes of each other. In this production you’ll witness several meets, including a three train meet.The New Plymouth to Auckland freight now runs through Marton, with a juggling of locos required to head this train back in the opposite direction towards Auckland. All this action and more is captured under bright, floodlit conditions. This program literally sees KiwiRail’s freight trains in a whole new light; with the distraction of scenery, traffic, people and other objects removed, the focus is solely on the trains.  See the review in the September issue of New Zealand Railfan magazine.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

 

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Cab Ride 1 - Feilding to Waitotara
 
Join EJ Videos on a Cab Ride in one of KiwiRail's many milk trains as it heads from Palmerston North to Whareroa. The action includes shots from the following regions:
Feilding to Marton, Marton to Wanganui, Waitotara to Kai Iwi, Westmere to Wanganui and Marton to Kakariki at night.
Enjoy a unique view of New Zealand scenery privy only to loco engineers - until now. You'll hear the roar of two DX's as they struggle up hill and the whine of dynamic brakes as they prevent our train from hurtling down hill - especially needed on the Westmere bank. We'll cross two truss bridges and pass through three tunnels. We'll also cross a number of trains along the way. All shots are continuous and unedited. Through conversations with our driver, you'll learn a bit of history of this line and share in a joke or two.
All of this footage can only be presented on two DVD's, with each one being 1 hour 10 minutes long.
 
$15.00 includes p+p in NZ
 
Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL Blu-Ray 1080/50i
Steam on Parade

We begin our trackside journey at Feilding, where The Overlander commences it’s leg to Taihape behind Wab 794. However during the winter of 2010, Mainline Steam’s J 1211 was used when the Wab was unavailable. We follow this special run on several occasions to capture some spectacular steam rail action in some equally spectacular scenery.  The program concludes with JA 1271 hauling an excursion from Paekakariki to Woodville via the North Island Main Trunk to Palmerston North, through the Manawatu Gorge to Woodville and return. We capture the action starting at Palmerston North, chasing the excursion to Woodville and then returning to farewell the train at Palmerston North again.
Bonus material added at the last minute includes selected repeat shots from Rangitikei Rails 2.
 
$12.50 includes p+p in NZ
 
Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Rangitikei Rails 4

2010 saw KiwiRail continue with its high paced turnout of locomotives repainted into the new “Kiwi Bold” livery. Of note were the number of EF’s now appearing on the main trunk with their new paint job. This rapid turnout of the re-painted fleet and the subsequent constant exposure of the new livery, has the KiwiRail brand firmly established in New Zealanders vocabulary.

This production continues our railfanning adventures alonf the main trunk with the action kicking off at Bunnythorpe and proceeding north through Feilding, Marton, Porewa, Hunterville, Mangaweka, and Utiku to Taihape and features a mixture of intercity freights, milk trains and The Overlander - all being hauled by electrics and diesels. All footage was filmed in 2010 and is presented entirely in Widescreen.
 
$12.50 includes p+p in NZ
 
Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Milk Movers

Railways excel at moving bulk goods, and KiwiRail is no exception when it comes to moving milk products.
Using its customised Class OM freight wagons fitted with stainless steel tanks, these dedicated milk trains are a common sight during the summer peak milk season. Loaded tanks from outlying plants are assembled into unit trains at Palmerston North and heralded off to Fonterras's plant at Whareroa, near Hawera.

During the seasonal peak, up to six trains a day, seven days a week depart Palmerston North for Whareroa, and mixed in with these unit trains are empty containers and ice liners, which will return to Palmerston North loaded with processed products for export.
It's busy times ahead for KiwiRail, and you'll see all the action trackside from the Oringi plant through the Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North and Feilding, Marton, Wanganui, Patea and Whareroa.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL Blu-ray 1080/50i
Through the Gorge and across the Bay

The rail link from Napier to the hub of Palmerston North is vital to New Zealand’s rail network, and vital to the Hawkes Bay economy. Napier is used for local exports and imports are distributed nationwide. Local industries benefit from the ability of rail to be able to deliver large quantities of goods efficiently and timely.
Four trains are timetabled to run across this line each week day, with up to six running if the need should arise, with an additional train running during the weekend.
The terrain is diverse and may be challenging for the trains, but makes an excellent backdrop for photographers.
This production covers modern railroading from Napier to Palmerston North, where the focus is on freight trains, marvels of engineering and classic New Zealand scenery.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Thunder on the 'Y'

In operation since 1897, the Wairarapa Line, or the ‘Y’, runs from Wellington to Woodville via Upper Hutt, Featherston, Masterton, Eketahuna and Pahiatua.
Today, passenger services that run from Wellington to Masterton are a common sight each day, but beyond here to Woodville, traffic volumes are low.
Roll on Christmas 2010, where for two weeks over the holiday period, freights that normally ran along the NIMT were diverted along the ‘Y’ to cater for essential track maintenance on the main trunk. This meant that up to nine freight trains a day were running on tracks that would normally see only one train a week.
EJ Videos was on hand to capture the action, covering trackside rail action from Woodville to Featherston.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Read the NZ Railfan review here - Adobe reader required. Used with permission.

 Aspect 16:9   DVD-PAL DVD - NTSC Blu-ray 1080/50i
Riding with Ja 1271

Steam Incorporated's mighty Ja 1271 coal fired steam loco puts on a memorable display in this production as we cover two excursions from late 2010 and early 2011. Part 1 covers the Xmas Wine & Dine Special from Paekakariki to Levin & Palmerston North. Part 2 covers the Eketahuna Express, and we catch up with the action at Otaki and chase the train all the way to Masterton via Palmerston North, the Manawatu Gorge, Woodville and Eketahuna. It's not just the train, as we'll also see the hard working volunteers from Steam Inc. doing what they do to make these excursions the success that they are.
The production format is a little different to what many may be used to. There's no narration at all, minimal subtitles and quite a bit of appropriate music. Footage is from the Paekakariki Depot, trackside, on board including a Guards view as we depart Levin, and the Masterton turntable. If you haven't seen my promo video for this DVD, then I highly recommend you check it out:

Riding with Ja 1271 promo video

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

 Aspect 16:9   DVD-PAL DVD - NTSC  Blu-ray 1080/50i
Cab Ride 2 - Manawatu Gorge

Join EJ Videos on a cab ride with a KiwiRail freight train from Palmerston North to Woodville via Ashhurst and the very scenic Manawatu Gorge.  The action kicks off at the Palmerston North Depot with DFM 7036 hauling a modest amount of freight on Train 628 destined for Takapau and Napier. This journey sees us passing through Kelvin Grove and Whakarongo to Ashhurst, where we sit tight waiting for an oncoming milk train.
We’re then given the clear to proceed to Woodville via the Gorge – with its two tunnels and many bridges, and spectacular views of the steep sides, the Manawatu River and not to mention the road and traffic on the other side.
On the return trip, the camera was aimed through the rear door to capture some spectacular shots of our train as it negotiates various curves along the way.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of railroading operations in real time as seen from the cab.   60 minutes

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

 Aspect 16:9   DVD-PAL     Blu-ray on it's way
Cab Ride 3 - Woodville to Takapau

Join EJ Videos on a cab ride on a KiwiRail freight train from Woodville to Takapau.
The action kicks off just north of the Woodville Loop with DFM 7036 hauling a modest amount of freight on Train 628 destined for Takapau and Napier.
This journey sees us passing through Dannevirke and crossing some legendary viaducts including the curved Ormondville viaduct (cover photo). Our journey ends at Takapau, where we disembark and board train 623 – with a DC and DXB on the point hauling a more respectable load back to Palmerston North.
On the return trip, the camera was aimed through the rear door to capture some spectacular shots of our train as it negotiates various curves along the way.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of railroading operations in real time as seen from the cab.  94 minutes

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

 Aspect 16:9   DVD-PAL     Blu-ray on it's way
Railfan Diaries - Multi Volume Series

This series is now available and is listed on it's own page.

Please click here to view these titles.

Prices as marked.

 

 

Aspect 4:3 DVD - PAL

Ruapehu Rails 2

Mataroa to Raurimu

Thundering through the heart of the Ruapehu District, New Zealand’s KiwiRail is tasked with the challenge of moving people and freight, north and south, 24 hours a day in all weather extremes.
This production catches a small glimpse of that rail action on the North Island Main Trunk, with the action kicking off at the small settlement of Mataroa.
  From Mataroa we then head north to the Turangarere horse shoe curve, the Hihitahi passing loop, then on towards the desert town of Waiouru where we’re treated to a few snow scenes. We’re also treated to the pulp train being double banked – where the Karioi and Tangiwai portions are taken to Waiouru and assembled into the one train.
We then continue our journey via Karioi, Ohakune, Horopito and National Park, capping it off with a rail train at Raurimu.
Footage is from 2009, 2010 and 2011.

$12.50 includes p+p in NZ

Aspect 16:9 DVD - PAL DVD - NTSC Blu Ray coming soon