KiwiRail DFB 7173Auckland Port Auckland Port

The DF class was introduced from 1979 and in 1990's rebuilt to EMD GT22MC reclassified DFT and later DFB with the current rebuilding program. The train is seen in the first minutes of the the 680 Km journey south to the capital which takes almost 11 hours. The Northern Explorer is referred to by rail workers and fans as "Dora" from the children's cartoon.