NZR DJ class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR DJ Class | |
 Two DJ class locomotives in service for TGR |
|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan |
| UIC classification | Bo-Bo-Bo |
| Length | 14.1 m |
| Total weight | 64t |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar D398; V12 |
| Top speed | 97 km/h |
| Power output | 672 kW (900 hp) |
| Tractive effort | 128 kN |
| Career | NZR, TGR |
| Number in class | 64 |
| Number | TMS numbers: 3009 - 3689 Early numbers: 1200 - 1263 |
| Locale | South Island gauge=1067mm |
| First run | 1968 - 1969 |
| Retired | 1988 - |
| Current owner | Toll NZ(Dj3096), TGR Dj3211,3228,3286,3424,3096,Stored3021 Mainline Steam (3) |
| Disposition | 54 scrapped; 6 in service; 4 preserved |
The NZR DJ class locomotive is a class of diesel-electric locomotive used in New Zealand. The class were purchased from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with a modernisation loan from the World Bank to replace steam locomotives in the South Island, where most of the class members worked most of their lives.
They are the second class of locomotive in New Zealand to utilise the Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement, the other classes being the EW class and the EF class. In both cases, this wheel arrangement was used to provide a lower axle-load due to track conditions.
The locomotives were retired from service in the late 1980s. This was mainly due to their age and the introduction of driver-only services, for which the class were unsuited, owing to their high short hoods and small front windows.
Five members of the class remain in service (with two stored) for the Taieri Gorge Railway (TGR) in Otago. DJ 3096 was originally held by Tranz Rail in the former company's "Heritage" fleet, but was sold by Toll Rail to TGR in 2008. Three others are preserved by Mainline Steam.
