NZR DI class
New Zealand DI Class | |
---|---|
Type and origin | |
Power type | Diesel-Electric |
Builder |
English Electric Rocklea works, Queensland, Australia |
Build date | 1966 |
Specifications | |
UIC classification | Co-Co |
Length | 13.8 metres (45 ft 3 in) |
Axle load | 10.16 tonnes (10.00 long tons; 11.20 short tons) |
Weight on drivers | 61.0 tonnes (60.0 long tons; 67.2 short tons) |
Locomotive weight | 61.0 tonnes (60.0 long tons; 67.2 short tons) |
Prime mover | English Electric 6CSRKT |
Aspiration | Turbocharged and Intercooled |
Traction motors | Six English Electric 540/1A |
Performance figures | |
Maximum speed | 97 km/h (60 mph) |
Power output | 755 kW (1,012 hp) |
Tractive effort | 132 kN (30,000 lbf) |
Career | |
Number in class | 5 |
Number(s) |
1100 - 1104 (original) 1808 - 1843 (TMS) |
Locale | All of New Zealand |
First run | 1966 |
Last run | 1988 - 1989 |
Disposition |
Withdrawn 1 preserved |
The New Zealand DI class locomotive was a class of diesel-electric locomotive in New Zealand. They were built by English Electric Australia. The class is very similar to the Queensland Railways 1620 class locomotives. At the time of their introduction, the class was seen as an alternative to the DB class for use on lightly laid secondary and branch lines, more so in the South Island, however the IMF financed introduction of the Japanese built DJ class in 1968 ensured that no further DI class locomotives were purchased by the Railways Department.
Service
Three members of the class originally operated in the South Island, mainly on the Main North Line between Christchurch and Picton, while the other two members started life in the North Island. In 1969, all members were transferred to work in the Bay of Plenty area on the lightly laid track there. After the Kaimai Tunnel opened in 1978, all five members were transferred to the South Island for service in the Dunedin area. The class performed sterling service on the hilly Dunedin - Palmerston section of the Main South Line and were used to haul the Inch Valley branch line stone trains due to their full adhesion Co-Co wheel set arrangement. On occasions, members of the class made trips to Invercargill as the roster allocated and were used on the Otago Central Line as far as Ranfurly. They remained in Dunedin until 1984 – 1985, when they went north to Wellington and Napier. In their latter days the DI class was used mainly for shunting duties.
Withdrawal and preservation
In 1988, three members of the class were written off following accidents. The remaining two locomotives were withdrawn by 1989, following the conversion of the DSC class shunting locomotives to right-hand control.
One member of the class, DI 1102 (1820) has been preserved by the Diesel Traction Group at Ferrymead.
Class register
Key: | In service | Out of service | Auckland Transport service | Preserved | Overhaul/Repair | Scrapped |
---|
TMS number | Original number | Introduced | Withdrawn | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1808 | 1100 | 1966 | 1988 | Written off in 1988 after flashover in main generator. Dismantled at Hutt Workshops in 1991. |
1814 | 1101 | 1966 | 1988 | |
1820 | 1102 | 1966 | 1989 | Preserved, Diesel Traction Group. |
1837 | 1103 | 1966 | 1988 | Written off and scrapped in 1988 after throwing a conrod. |
1843 | 1104 | 1966 | 1988 | Written off and scrapped in 1988 after being damaged in a level crossing accident near Otaki. |
References
- "NZR Locomotives and Railcars 1983". T A McGavin. New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society : Wellington, New Zealand : 1983.
- "New Zealand Railway Diesels". E J McClare. Southern Press : Wellington, New Zealand.
External links
|