NZR DJ class

NZR DJ Class
DJ3107
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan
Build date	1968 - 1969
UIC classification	Bo-Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Length	14.1 metres (46 ft)
Axle load	10.66 tonnes (10.49 long tons; 11.75 short tons)
Weight on drivers	64.0 tonnes (63.0 long tons; 70.5 short tons)
Locomotive weight	64.0 tonnes (63.0 long tons; 70.5 short tons)
Prime mover	Caterpillar D398
Engine RPM range	1300 rpm
Traction motors	Six
Cylinders	V12
Cylinder size	159 mm × 203 mm (6.3 in × 8.0 in)
Top speed	97 km/h (60 mph)
Power output	672 kW (901 hp)
Tractive effort	128 kN (29,000 lbf)
Number in class	64
Number	1200 - 1263 (original) 3009 - 3689 (TMS)
Locale	South Island
First run	1968 - 1969
Retired	1986 - 1991
Current owner	TGR (7) Mainline Steam (3)
Disposition	54 scrapped 6 in service for TGR 3 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 as well, particularly in the case of the DJs, a shorter wheelbase more suited to sharp curvature on secondary or tertiary routes.

Introduction

Two DJ class locomotives in service for TGR.

The DJ class were purchased with a modernisation loan and were the class that enabled the withdrawal of the remaining steam locomotives in the South Island (where they worked most of their lives) where they joined the existing DG/DH class locomotives. The original order for 55 locomotives later extended to 64. DJs hauled the Southerner passenger train from its inception in December 1970, until June 1990, when the DX class took over working this service, although, on one further and final occasion in February 1991, a DJ was used on a Southerner, from Invercargill to Dunedin only. When working in multiple with the DGs, DJs were usually the preferred lead loco due to better cab conditions and visibility.

The diesel engines were overrated and unreliable at the beginning and many modifications were necessary. The DJ's unusual Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement and 10.66 tonne axle loading were features suited to branch line service but their introduction, whilst introducing greater economies over steam locomotion, did not prolong the life of many branches, although it did allow the South Island major lines to remain in a state of relatively weak track and bridges for longer than might have been the case otherwise. They were also the first locos in New Zealand to have AC/DC transmission.

The electrical equipment was good, compared to the comparatively poor service obtained from the engines. In later years the engines had a shorter life between overhauls than other classes, making the locomotives more expensive to operate and reducing their lifespan. They were used on all lines in the South Island including some where DG/DH locomotives were not allowed to run. For a number of years, DJ and DG locomotives were commonly operated in multiple on freight trains. The class also were able to operate in multiple unit with some of the General Motors DF class that were introduced in 1979. One notable working on the West Coast was the banking of heavy freight trains over the Reefton Saddle where the pair of locomotives at the head was supplemented by another pair attached to the rear. The DJs were still working coal trains on the West Coast as late as 1989 when track damage caused by the heavier DC class locomotives was being repaired.

Withdrawals

DJ3044 in a decrepit state, stored at Mainline Steam, Parnell.

The first withdrawals of the class began in 1986 when five were placed in storage in Invercargill. In 1988 one locomotive, 3303, was leased to Ohai Railway Board, but returned to NZR in 1991. It was subsequently on sold to Mainline Steam.

To preserve the life of the class, the top power notch was removed except on the first five locos which were kept for working the Southerner passenger trains. Later on, some of the class were transferred to the North Island for storage. The last locomotive to work in normal NZR service was withdrawn in August 1991. The DJ class were able to be retired early due to replacement by DC and DX class locomotives becoming available for South Island service as a result of the electrification of the North Island Main Trunk.

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 February 2008. This effectively rounded off exactly 40 years of service on the national network from NZR to Toll Rail days, as the locomotive had entered service in February 1968. The locomotive underwent de-rusting and other work done, before appearing in service, repainted in the early 1970s 'Southerner Blue' livery, with original road number DJ 1209 in late October 2009. The locomotive wore that livery from 1971 to approximately 1978, and was one of the first to be so painted. However, on 19 August 2010, while on a Taieri Gorge with DJ 3107 (1210), DJ 1209 suffered a turbocharger disintegration. This then caused the engine to over-speed uncontrollably at an estimated 3000rpm (more than twice its designed operating speed of 1300 maximum). This was because lubricating oil to the turbo poured into the cylinders via the inlet manifold, thus burning like copious amounts of diesel, causing self destruction inside the motor, damage to alternator as well. A fire broke out immediately after the motor seized, causing further serious damage. The locomotive is laid up, awaiting repair at Dunedin, with cosmetic repairs on the carbody being undertaken to protect it until further work can be carried out.

Five other DJ class were stored by Mainline Steam, but two were eventually scrapped.

Class register

Key:	In service	Out of service	Auckland Transport service	Preserved	Overhaul	Scrapped

Original no.	TMS no.	Introduced	Withdrawn[n 1]	Notes
DJ 1200	3009	01968-01 January 1968	01988-02 February 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1201	3015	01968-01 January 1968	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1202	3021	01968-01 January 1968	01990-04 April 1990	Taieri Gorge Railway, stored at Middlemarch.[1]
DJ 1203	3038	01968-01 January 1968	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1204	3044	01968-02 February 1968	01990-04 April 1990	Mainline Steam. Scrapped in May 2011 at Parnell.
DJ 1205		01968-02 February 1968	01973-04 April 1973	Scrapped, accident damage.
DJ 1206	3050	01968-02 February 1968	01988-04 April 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1207	3067	01968-02 February 1968	01990-07 July 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1208	3073	01968-02 February 1968	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1209	3096	01968-02 February 1968	02008-02 February 2008	Taieri Gorge Railway, former heritage fleet. Out of service following engine room fire on 19 August 2010.[2][n 2]
DJ 1210	3107	01968-03 March 1968	01992-03 March 1992	Taieri Gorge Railway
DJ 1211	3113	01968-03 March 1968	01989-05 May 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1212	3136	01968-03 March 1968	01990-02 February 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1213	3142	01968-03 March 1968	01989-05 May 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1214	3159	01968-03 March 1968	01992-07 July 1992	Scrapped.
DJ 1215	3165	01968-03 March 1968	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1216	3171	01968-04 April 1968	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1217	3188	01968-04 April 1968	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1218	3194	01968-04 April 1968	01990-04 April 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1219	3205	01968-05 May 1968	01988-02 February 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1220		01968-05 May 1968	01973-05 May 1973	Written off following accident. Scrapped.
DJ 1221	3211	01968-06 June 1968	01992-03 March 1992	Taieri Gorge Railway
DJ 1222	3228	01968-06 June 1968	01992-03 March 1992	Taieri Gorge Railway
DJ 1223	3234	01968-07 July 1968	01988-02 February 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1224	3240	01968-07 July 1968	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1225	3257	01968-08 August 1968	01988-05 May 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1226	3263	01968-08 August 1968	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1227	3286	01968-10 October 1968	01992-07 July 1992	Taieri Gorge Railway.
DJ 1228	3292	01968-10 October 1968	01990-03 March 1990	Preserved, Mainline Steam.
DJ 1229	3303	01968-12 December 1968	01988-03 March 1988	Leased to Ohai Railway Board 1988 - 1991, preserved Mainline Steam.
DJ 1230	3326	01968-12 December 1968	01990-04 April 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1231	3332	01968-12 December 1968	01989-02 February 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1232	3349	01968-12 December 1968	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1233	3355	01968-12 December 1968	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1234	3361	01968-12 December 1968	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1235	3378	01968-12 December 1968	01989-02 February 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1236	3384	01968-12 December 1968	01988-04 April 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1237	3390	01969-01 January 1969	01990-03 March 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1238	3401	01969-01 January 1969	01988-03 March 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1239	3418	01969-01 January 1969	01989-03 March 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1240	3424	01969-01 January 1969	01992-07 July 1992	Taieri Gorge Railway
DJ 1241	3430	01969-01 January 1969	01988-02 February 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1242	3447	01969-01 January 1969	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1243	3453	01969-01 January 1969	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1244	3476	01969-02 February 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1245	3482	01969-02 February 1969	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1246	3499	01969-01 January 1969	01991-09 September 1991	Scrapped.
DJ 1247	3516	01969-02 February 1969	01989-05 May 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1248	3522	01969-01 January 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1249	3539	01969-01 January 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1250	3545	01969-02 February 1969	01990-04 April 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1251	3551	01969-02 February 1969	01989-05 May 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1252	3568	01969-02 February 1969	01990-04 April 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1253	3574	01969-02 February 1969	01988-03 March 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1254	3580	01969-03 March 1969	01990-04 April 1990	Scrapped by Mainline Steam.
DJ 1255	3597	01969-03 March 1969	01988-04 April 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1256	3608	01969-02 February 1969	01986-09 September 1986	Scrapped.
DJ 1257	3614	01969-04 April 1969	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.
DJ 1258	3620	01969-04 April 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1259	3637	01969-04 April 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1260	3643	01969-05 May 1969	01989-09 September 1989	Scrapped.
DJ 1261	3666	01969-04 April 1969	01991-09 September 1991	Scrapped.
DJ 1262	3672	01969-04 April 1969	01990-02 February 1990	Scrapped.
DJ 1263	3689	01969-05 May 1969	01988-12 December 1988	Scrapped.

References

Notes

1. ^ Withdrawn dates are from when the locomotive was withdrawn by NZR.
2. ^ DJ 3096 was not withdrawn by NZR, and kept as part of its 'heritage fleet' and sold by Toll Rail in 2008 to TGR.^[1]

Citations

1. ^ ^{a b} David Maciulaitis (24 June 2010). "Preserved Ex-NZ Railways Diesel & Diesel-Electric Locomotives". http://www.maciulaitis.com/nzrolling/nzrdiesel.html. Retrieved 19 August 2010. 
2. ^ Otago Daily Times (20 August 2010). "Drivers uncouple flaming locomotive". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667408. Retrieved 21 August 2010. 

Books

• "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

• Preserved Ex-NZ Railways Diesel & Diesel-Electric Locomotives