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New Zealand Railways DA 1410

(I think DA 1410 might well be my favourite DA, or rather, tied for favourite with 1400).

DA 1410 was the 11th member of her class to be built. She was built by General Motors of Canada in 1955, entering service in November of that year. The engine - like all other DA’s - first carried the classic Carnation Red livery. However - in 1978 - DA 1410 would lose this livery and be repainted into Fruit Salad colours. Following the repaint she was given her new TMS number; DA 126. For whatever reason the engine displayed both numbers on her front end long after her repaint.

DA 1410 / DA 126 would remain in service with New Zealand Rail right up until 1988. By this time she was 33 years old, but was fortunate enough to be preserved by the (now) somewhat ironically-named Steam Incorporated, a preservation group based in Paekakariki. Although she initially just required a repaint, 1410 would receive a full overhaul in 1999.

Soon after this overhaul, DA 1410 - along with classmate DA 1431 - was loaned to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. During her time at Glenbrook 1410 took part in an exercise that educated people on what to do in the event of a train crash. The engine would remain at Glenbrook for several more years.

It wasn’t until June 2015 when DA 1410 (finally) left the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. She was towed all the way down to Paekakariki along with another Steam Incorporated engine; J 1234. The engine that hauled these Steam Inc. engines was another DA; specifically DA 1429. This engine went back up north again soon after the special delivery trip.

After her return to Paekakariki, DA 1410 was finally reunited with her sister, 1431 (this engine returned home in 2008). Around 2018, the engine was overhauled again.

DA 1410 is now fully operational and certified for mainline running, alongside 1431. Both engines are occasionally used on mainline excursions. On a personal note, I saw both 1410 and 1431 at Steam Incorporated’s open day in July 2020. As well as simply being able to see the two engines, people were allowed to sit in the driver’s seat of 1410. And that’s exactly what I did.