NZR DA class

NZR Da class
Da 1400 on static display at MOTAT
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder General Motors Diesel (Canada)
Electro-Motive Division (USA)
Clyde Engineering (Australia)
Model EMD G12
Build date 1955 - 1967
UIC classification A1A-A1A
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Length GMD/EMD 14.1 metres (46 ft 3 in)
Clyde 14.6 metres (47 ft 11 in)
Weight on drivers 59.0 tonnes (58.1 long tons; 65.0 short tons)
Locomotive weight GMD/EMD 81.0 tonnes (79.7 long tons; 89.3 short tons)
Clyde 79.0 tonnes (77.8 long tons)
Fuel type Diesel
Prime mover EMD 12-567C and EMD 12-567E
Engine RPM range 835 rpm
Aspiration Roots type supercharger
Displacement 111.49 L (6,804 cu in)
Traction motors Four EMD D19 or D29
Cylinders V12
Cylinder size 216 × 254 mm (8.5 × 10.0 in)
Top speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output 1,060 kW (1,420 hp)
Tractive effort 140 kN (31,000 lbf)
Number in class 146
Number Da 1400–1545 (Original)
DA11–996 (TMS)
First run 1955 - 1967
Last run 1977 - 1989
Current owner Steam Incorporated, Mainline Steam, Private
Disposition 85 rebuilt as DC Class
6 as Daa (defunct), 1 as DAR 517 (withdrawn); 0 in service

The NZR Da diesel-electric mainline locomotive class ran on the New Zealand railway system between 1955 and 1989. With 146 locomotives, it was the most numerous class to operate in New Zealand, just five more than the AB class steam locomotive.

The class were A1A-A1A versions of the Electro-Motive Diesel G12 model, altered slightly to fit New Zealand's 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge rail system, and New Zealand's small loading gauge. They were introduced between 1955 and 1967, and were the first class of diesel locomotives to seriously displace steam traction.

Between 1978 and 1983, 85 were rebuilt as the DC class, of which many are still in use. All but one of the remainder were withdrawn by 1989, with six preserved. The last locomotive was refitted for shunting duties, becoming DAR 517.

Contents

Operation

The Da class was built to operate main-line passenger and freight trains, and some services on secondary lines. They had a wheel arrangement of A1A-A1A under the UIC classification system, generated 1425 hp (1060 kW), and ran at up to 100 km/h. Although they were not the first class of main-line diesel locomotives to operate in New Zealand (this was the DF of 1954), they were the first class to displace the steam locomotives that dominated NZR until the 1950s. They were well suited to hauling freight and passenger trains, and operated the "Scenic Daylight" service between Auckland and Wellington. When they arrived in New Zealand the tunnels south of Paekakariki on the North Island Main Trunk Railway (NIMT) were not large enough for them and they could not operate into Wellington via the NIMT until these tunnels were enlarged in 1967.

Rebuilds and withdrawal

In 1970, six Da class were converted to shunt the Te Rapa yards and reclassified Daa. Between 1977 and 1983 85 DAs were rebuilt as the new DC class, most by Clyde Engineering of Australia and five by NZR at the Hutt Workshops. Of the locomotives not converted, the last was withdrawn in 1989 and six were preserved, while a seventh, Da 1448, was sold to Tasman Pulp and Paper. The Tasman locomotive was bought back by Tranz Rail (the successor to NZR) in 1998 and reclassified DAR, as the front hood had been rebuilt (to provide better visibility), and renumbered 517.

Preservation

Six DA locomotives have been preserved. The class leader, Da 1400, is on static display at MOTAT in Auckland, while Da 1410 and 1431 have been preserved by Steam Incorporated in Wellington. 1410 is currently on lease to the Railway Enthusiasts Society, 1401 is preserved by the Feilding and District Steam Rail Society, and 1429 is preserved by a private individual in Auckland. 1471, formerly preserved by Steam Incorporated, is now stored by KiwiRail at Hutt Workshops near Wellington. From time to time, Tranz Rail and its successors Toll Rail and KiwiRail have leased these locomotives to complement their own fleets due to maintenance requirements or periods of high freight volumes.

Class register

Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul Scrapped
Original no. TMS no. Introduced Withdrawn Livery Notes
1400 11 01955-09 September 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Preserved, on display at MOTAT. Was Daa 1400
1401 28 01955-09 September 1955 01987-07 July 1987 Preserved, in operation at Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Was Daa 1401
1402 34 01955-10 October 1955 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped. Was Daa 1402
1403 40 01955-10 October 1955 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped. Was Daa 1403
1404 57 01955-10 October 1955 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped. Was Daa 1404
1405 01955-10 October 1955 0Error: invalid timePre-1980 Scrapped.
1406 63 01955-11 November 1955 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped. Was Daa 1406
1407 86 01955-11 November 1955 01984-04 April 1984 Scrapped.
1408 92 01955-11 November 1955 01981-03 March 1981 Scrapped.
1409 103 01955-12 December 1955 01982-11 November 1982 Scrapped.
1410 126 01955-11 November 1955 01988-06 June 1988 Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
1411 132 01955-11 November 1955 01984-04 April 1984 Scrapped.
1412 149 01955-12 December 1955 01982-11 November 1982 Scrapped.
1413 155 01955-12 December 1955 01983-04 April 1983 Scrapped.
1414 161 01955-12 December 1955 01986-04 April 1986 Scrapped.
1415 178 01956-01 January 1956 01983-04 April 1983 Scrapped.
1416 184 01955-12 December 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1417 190 01955-12 December 1955 01986-06 June 1986 Scrapped.
1418 201 01955-12 December 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1419 218 01955-12 December 1955 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped.
1420 224 01955-12 December 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1421 230 01956-01 January 1956 01986-02 February 1986 Scrapped.
1422 247 01955-12 December 1955 01986-02 February 1986 Scrapped.
1423 253 01955-12 December 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1424 276 01956-01 January 1956 01983-04 April 1983 Scrapped.
1425 282 01955-12 December 1955 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1426 01956-01 January 1956 01977-03-23 March 23, 1977 Scrapped. Head-on collision with Dx 2639 between Parnell and Newmarket.
1427 299 01956-01 January 1956 01982-11 November 1982 Scrapped.
1428 316 01956-01 January 1956 01982-11 November 1982 Scrapped.
1429 322 01956-01 January 1956 01987-12 December 1987 Preserved.
1430 339 01957-04 April 1957 01986-05 May 1986 Scrapped.
1431 345 01957-04 April 1957 01988-06 June 1988 Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline registered. Former Sesqui 1990 colours.
1432 351 01957-06 June 1957 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1433 368 01957-06 June 1957 01984-05 May 1984 Scrapped.
1434 374 01957-07 July 1957 01983-11 November 1983 Scrapped.
1435 380 01957-07 July 1957 01985-10 October 1985 Scrapped.
1436 01957-08 August 1957 01979-03-19 March 19, 1979 Scrapped. Written off after an accident at Matapihi, Tauranga.
1437 408 01957-08 August 1957 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped.
1438 414 01957-09 September 1957 01986-05 May 1986 Scrapped.
1439 420 01957-09 September 1957 01986-03 March 1986 Scrapped.
1440 437 01961-08 August 1961 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped.
1441 01961-08 August 1961 Rebuilt as DC 4421
1442 443 01961-08 August 1961 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1443 466 01961-08 August 1961 01986-05 May 1986 Scrapped.
1444 472 01961-08 August 1961 01989-02 February 1989 Scrapped.
1445 489 01961-08 August 1961 01989-02 February 1989 Scrapped.
1446 495 01961-08 August 1961 Rebuilt as DC 4513
1447 506 01961-08 August 1961 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1448 512 01961-09 September 1961 Toll Rail To Tasman Forestry. Rebuilt as DAR517. Stored at Hutt Workshops
1449 529 01961-09 September 1961 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1450 535 01961-09 September 1961 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1451 541 01961-09 September 1961 01988-02 February 1988 Scrapped.
1452 558 01962-10 October 1962 01989-05 May 1989 Scrapped.
1453 564 01962-11 November 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4916
1454 570 01962-11 November 1962 01989-08 August 1989 Scrapped.
1455 01962-10 October 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4254
1456 587 01962-11 November 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4945
1457 593 01962-11 November 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4939
1458 01962-11 November 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4450
1459 604 01962-11 November 1962 Rebuilt as DC 4951
1460 610 01962-11 November 1962 01989-04 April 1989 Scrapped.
1461 627 01962-11 November 1962 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1462 633 01963-10 October 1963 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1463 656 01963-10 October 1963 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1464 662 01963-10 October 1963 Rebuilt as DC 4565
1465 679 01963-11 November 1963 Rebuilt as DC 4686
1466 685 01963-11 November 1963 Rebuilt as DC 4640
1467 691 01963-12 December 1963 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1468 702 01963-12 December 1963 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1469 719 01963-12 December 1963 Rebuilt as DC 4761.
1470 01963-12 December 1963 Rebuilt as DC 4317.
1471 725 01963-12 December 1963 01988-08 August 1988 Stored out of service Hutt Workshops.
1472 731 01964-09 September 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4703
1473 748 01964-10 October 1964 01988-12 December 1988 Scrapped.
1474 754 01964-10 October 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4634
1475 760 01964-10 October 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4847
1476 777 01964-09 September 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4784
1477 783 01964-10 October 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4657
1478 01964-09 September 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4162
1479 800 01964-11 November 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4922
1480 817 01964-11 November 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4692
1481 823 01964-11 November 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4818
1482 846 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4790
1483 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4277
1484 852 01964-11 November 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4801
1485 869 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4853
1486 875 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4824
1487 881 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4778
1488 898 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4663
1489 909 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4588
1490 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4323
1491 915 01964-12 December 1964 Rebuilt as DC 4628
1492 921 01966-03 March 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4876
1493 01966-03 March 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4283
1494 938 01966-03 March 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4726
1495 944 01966-03 March 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4749
1496 950 01966-03 March 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4755
1497 01966-04 April 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4473
1498 967 01966-05 May 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4611
1499 973 01966-05 May 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4732
1500 01966-05 May 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4185
1501 01966-04 April 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4035
1502 01966-05 May 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4248
1503 01966-05 May 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4438
1504 01966-09 September 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4058
1505 01966-09 September 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4536
1506 01966-09 September 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4225
1507 01966-07 July 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4041
1508 01966-07 July 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4191
1509 01966-08 August 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4110
1510 01966-07 July 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4369
1511 01966-09 September 1966 Rebuilt as DC 4179
1512 01967-08 August 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4064
1513 01967-08 August 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4156
1514 01967-09 September 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4070
1515 01967-09 September 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4087
1516 996 01967-08 August 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4830
1517 01967-08 August 1967 01974-05 May 1974 Scrapped.
1518 01967-08 August 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4300
1519 01967-09 September 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4133
1520 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4104
1521 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4127
1522 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4571
1523 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4093
1524 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4605
1525 01967-09 September 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4006
1526 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4444
1527 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4219
1528 01967-09 September 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4352
1529 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4231
1530 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4415
1531 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4260
1532 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4012
1533 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4029
1534 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4496
1535 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4202
1536 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4346
1537 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4542
1538 01967-10 October 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4594
1539 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4559
1540 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4375
1541 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4467
1542 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4398
1543 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4409
1544 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4381
1545 01967-11 November 1967 Rebuilt as DC 4507

References

Books

Rail vehicles of New Zealand
Battery electric locomotives
Diesel locomotives
Diesel Multiple Units
Electric locomotives
Electric Multiple Units
Railcars
Non RM class railcar
Steam locomotives
Locomotive hauled carriages