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New Zealand DM class locomotive

Not to be confused with New Zealand DM class electric multiple unit.

The New Zealand DM class[nb 1] of 66[1][4] diesel-electric locomotives are currently under manufacture for New Zealand rail operator KiwiRail by Stadler Rail in Spain. The locomotives are expected to be introduced between 2024 and 2026.[2]

New Zealand DM class locomotive
Arrival of first locomotive in New Zealand (Lyttelton)
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderStadler Rail, Valencia
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo′Co′
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length20.002 metres (65.62 ft) [1]
Width2.810 metres (9 ft 2.6 in) [1]
Loco weight< 108t [1]
Fuel typeDiesel, HVO [1]
Fuel capacity6,500 litres (1,400 imp gal; 1,700 US gal) [1]
Prime moverCaterpillar C175-16, Stage V [1]
Engine typediesel engine
Loco brakePneumatic; Dynamic: rheostatic; Bail-off feature [1]
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph) [1]
Power output3,000 kilowatts (4,000 hp)
Tractive effort415 kN (93,000 lbf)
Career
Number in class66
Delivered2 as of October 2024[2]
Current ownerKiwiRail

Background

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Model of a DM class locomotive

In March 2020, KiwiRail released a tender for new mainline locomotives to replace the 47-strong DX class,[5] which were nearly 50 years old at the time. The 2021 New Zealand budget allocated NZD$722.7 million to purchase new mainline locomotives, shunt locomotives and wagons.[6]

On 11 October 2021 Stadler Rail announced it had won the contract to supply 57 new locomotives for KiwiRail.[7] Stadler stated the contract was worth €228 million,[7] or NZD$403 million.[2][8] The Rail & Maritime Transport Union, the main union representing KiwiRail staff, welcomed the purchase.[9] The company had previously won a contract to supply 34 similar locomotives to the Taiwan Railway Administration in 2019.[10][11]

In February 2024, KiwiRail and Stadler announced an order for a further nine DM class locomotives equipped with European Train Control System (ETCS) technology for deployment on the North Island rail network.[4] The last ten locomotives from the first order will also be fitted with ETCS, bringing the total number of ETCS-fitted DM class locomotives in the North Island to 19. ETCS will enable the locomotives to operate in the Auckland metro area, which is fitted with ETCS Level 1 signalling, and future proofs the class to safely operate in the Wellington metro area once trackside signalling there is upgraded to ETCS.

Classification and numbering

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KiwiRail has stated the locomotives will be classified as class "DM".[3] The original impression of the design showed the numbering to be in the 10,000 series. Mock-ups of the locomotive cab show numbers in the 6000 series, which has not been used since the withdrawal of the DQ and QR class locomotives.[12] It was reported in late 2022 that the design phase had been completed, and the first locomotives are now in production, to be completed in mid-2024.[13] As of November 2023, the class numbering is in the 8000 series.[14]

Production, testing and entry into service

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KiwiRail posted a video on their Facebook page on 8 February 2024 of the prototype locomotive at the Stadler manufacturing plant in Spain. The short clip shows one of the new DM locomotives running on a factory track under its own power. The post stated that the first two locomotives will join the KiwiRail fleet later in 2024.[15]

The first two locomotives, DM8012 and DM8029, were unloaded from the Eemslift Nadine at the Port of Lyttleton in Christchurch on 19 October 2024.[16] They were described as the prototypes and will be commissioned at the KiwiRail Middleton Depot and undergo six months of in-service trials.[17][18]

See also

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References

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ KiwiRail have stated that "DM" will be used as the classification for the locomotives.[3]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "KiwiRail, SALi Diesel-Electric, New Zealand, PDF" (PDF). Stadler Rail. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "New locomotives to replace South Island fleet". KiwiRail. 12 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Our new South Island locos". The Express (367). KiwiRail: 7. December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Stadler and KiwiRail strengthen partnership through recent locomotive agreements" (PDF). 27 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Expression of Interest - Supply of Mainline Locomotives to KiwiRail". Government Electronic Tender Service. May 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Budget 2021: KiwiRail the big transport winner with money for new locomotives and locally built wagons". New Zealand Herald. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Stadler and KiwiRail sign a contract for 57 mainline locomotives" (PDF). Stadler Rail. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Stadler wins New Zealand loco order". The Railway Magazine (1448): 100. November 2021.
  9. ^ "Rail Union Says New Locomotives A Great Investment In Future Of KiwiRail". Scoop.co.nz. 12 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Stadler to supply 34 locomotives for TRA in Taiwan". Global Railway Review. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Stadler Wins First Large Contract in the Pacific Region, 34 locomotives for TRA in Taiwan". Stadler Rail. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  12. ^ Bond 2022, p. 39.
  13. ^ Daryl Bond (December 2022). "Other Rolling Stock News". The Linesider (10): 48. ISSN 2703-6197.
  14. ^ "[NZ] Stadler's narrow gauge diesel locomotives for KiwiRail – project update". Railcolor News. 17 November 2023.
  15. ^ "KiwiRail Facebook page". KiwiRail. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  16. ^ Geoff Mackley (19 October 2024). "BREAKING NEWS: New DM class locos arrive at Lyttelton". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  17. ^ KiwiRail (21 October 2024). "Introducing the first of our brand-new DM class locomotives". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  18. ^ "KiwiRail unveils new locomotives to replace ageing fleet". TVNZ. 31 October 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Bond, Darryl (September 2022). "A First Look at the DM class". The Linesider (9): 39. ISSN 2703-6197.
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