- NZR DC class
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NZR DC class 
DC 4254 in service for ARTA at Papakura. Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Canada (original builder)
Clyde Engineering, Australia (re-builder, 80 units)
NZR Hutt Workshops, Lower Hutt, New Zealand (re-builder, 5 units)Build date 1961 - 1967 (as Da class)
1978 - 1981 (rebuilt as DC class)UIC classification A1A-A1A Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge Wheel diameter 1.25 metres (4 ft 1 in) Length 14.10 metres (46 ft 3 in) Width 3.01 metres (9 ft 11 in) Height 4.30 metres (14 ft 1 in) Weight on drivers 60.0 tonnes (59.1 long tons; 66.1 short tons) Locomotive weight 82.0 tonnes (80.7 long tons; 90.4 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover GM 12-645C Top speed 90–100 km/h (56–62 mph) Power output 1,230 kW (1,650 hp) Tractive effort 140 kN (31,000 lbf) Number in class 85 Number DC 4006 - 4951 (TMS)
Dc 1551 - 1599 (original)[n 1]First run 1978 Disposition 70 in service, 14 withdrawn, 1 sold to TasRail The NZR DC class locomotive is the most common class of locomotive currently in operation on the New Zealand rail network. Primarily employed to haul freight trains operated by KiwiRail, the class is also used for long-distance passenger trains operated by Tranz Scenic and suburban passenger trains operated by Tranz Metro in Wellington under the Metlink brand, and Veolia in Auckland under the MAXX brand.
Contents
History
DCP 4818 leaving Port Napier with a freight train in April 2007
The locomotives started life as members of the since-withdrawn Da class diesel-electric mainline locomotives, built by General Motors Canada. Between 1978 and 1983 they were rebuilt as EMD model G22AR, the DC class, with a new cab and upgraded engines. Five were rebuilt at Hutt Workshops near Wellington, the other 80 at Clyde Engineering in Australia.
In December 1998, DC 4588 was shipped to Tasmania for use on TasRail, part-owned by Tranz Rail through the Australian Transport Network. The locomotive was originally leased by TasRail, but has since been sold to them. It was sold for scrap in 2011, after being in storage since 2002.[1]
Technical details
Each DC locomotive has a General Motors 12-645C or 12-645E V12 diesel engine and four traction motors, with an authorised maximum speed of 100 km/h. The locomotive is 14 metres long and weighs 82 tonnes.
DC locomotives are numbered 4006 to 4876 for the Australian builds, 4916 to 4951 for the New Zealand builds. The numbers 4882 and 4899 were not used, so as to start the New Zealand-built DCs in a separate number sub-series. The first New Zealand-built DC entered service as DA564, soon reclassified and renumbered DC 4916.
Locomotive height 3756 mm (12 ft 4in)
DCP Subclass
A subclass of the DC class, the DCP class, was established in 2002 to differentiate the locomotives owned by Tranz Scenic 2001 Ltd from those owned by Tranz Rail Ltd.
The DCP classification was retained on these locomotives after the purchase of Tranz Scenic 2001 by Toll NZ, and continues to be used by KiwiRail. In 2008, DC 4277 was reclassified DCP, followed by 4755 in August 2009 and 4450 in October 2009. In the North Island, the DCP class is used in a general pool of locomotives with the DC class, working both freight and passenger services. In the South Island the DCP class remains in dedicated passenger service. DCP 4663, 4818 and 4945 are leased to Veolia Transport Ltd in Auckland for suburban passenger use.
Auckland Transport
20 DC/DCP locomotives have been leased to Veolia Transport via the Auckland Council subsidiary Auckland Transport. They operate in push-pull mode with Auckland Transport's British Rail Mark 2 SA/SD cars.
Due to an increase in demand during March and April 2011, and an overall increase in rail patronage, the Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, announced that longer trains would be provided on the Southern and Eastern lines. These trains are configured in sets of four SA cars and a SD driving car with a DC locomotive.[2]
Class register
Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul Scrapped TMS number Original number[n 1] Rebuilt from Introduced[n 2] Withdrawn Current livery[n 3] Allocated Notes DC 4006 Dc 1551 Da 1525 March 1978 North Island Derailed after descending Westmere bank too fast, September 2000. Scrapped 2002 DC 4012 Dc 1552 Da 1532 March 1978 KiwiRail North Island Appeared in NZR's 1970s TV commercial as Dc 1552 DC 4029 DC 1553 DA 1533 April 1978 International Orange North Island DC 4035 DC 1554 DA 1501 April 1978 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4041 DC 1555 DA 1507 May 1978 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4058 DC 1556 DA 1504 July 1978 KiwiRail North Island DC 4064 DC 1557 DA 1512 July 1978 International Orange North Island DC 4070 DC 1558 DA 1514 August 1978 International Orange North Island DC 4087 DC 1559 DA 1515 August 1978 North Island Derailed at Ngaruawahia 6/92 (together with DC 4093 & DC 4369) and damaged beyond repair. Spare parts loco at Hutt. Scrapped 2002 DC 4093 DC 1560 DA 1523 September 1978 MAXX Blue North Island Former KiwiLager livery 1987 - 1992. DC 4104 DC 1561 DA 1520 October 1978 KiwiRail North Island Second DC to receive KiwiRail livery. DC 4110 DC 1562 DA 1509 September 1978 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4127 DC 1563 DA 1521 December 1978 North Island Taken out of service (reason unknown) 11/99. Scrapped not earlier than 2001 DC 4133 DC 1564 DA 1519 October 1978 International Orange South Island DC 4156 DC 1565 DA 1513 October 1978 International Orange North Island Hit landslide in the Manawatu Gorge on 25 September 2010.[4] DC 4162 DC 1566 DA 1478 November 1978 May 2004 North Island Taken out of service (reason unknown) 5/01. Scrapped DC 4179 DC 1567 DA 1511 December 1978 North Island Taken out of service (reason unknown) 5/00. Scrapped 2002 DC 4185 DC 1568 DA 1500 December 1978 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4191 DC 1569 DA 1508 December 1978 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4202 DC 1570 DA 1535 April 1979 October 1999 South Island Written off and scrapped after a head-on collision with DFT 7254 and DXH 5448 at Waipahi, Otago on 20 October 1999. DC 4219 DC 1571 DA 1527 February 1979 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4225 DC 1572 DA 1506 February 1979 International Orange North Island DC 4231 DC 1573 DA 1529 April 1979 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4248 DC 1574 DA 1502 March 1979 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4254 DC 1575 DA 1455 February 1979 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4260 DC 1576 DA 1531 May 1979 KiwiRail North Island First DC to receive KiwiRail livery. DCP 4277 DC 1577 DA 1483 May 1979 International Orange South Island DC 4283 DC 1578 DA 1493 May 1979 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4300 DC 1579 DA 1518 June 1979 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4317 DC 1580 DA 1470 July 1979 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4323 DC 1581 DA 1490 May 1979 KiwiRail North Island First DC to receive Black ("Bumble-Bee") livery DC 4346 DC 1582[n 4] DA 1536 September 1979 KiwiRail North Island Tasman Forestry livery 1991 - 1994. DC 4352 DC 1583[n 4] DA 1528 August 1979 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DC 4369 DC 1584[n 4] DA 1510 October 1979 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4375 DC 1585[n 4] DA 1540 September 1979 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4381 DC 1586[n 4] DA 1544 August 1979 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4398 DC 1587[n 4] DA 1542 October 1979 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4409 DC 1588[n 4] DA 1543 September 1979 International Orange North Island DC 4415 DC 1589[n 4] DA 1530 September 1979 MAXX Blue North Island Named Gwendaliene DC 4421 DC 1590[n 4] DA 1441 October 1979 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") South Island DC 4438 DC 1591[n 4] DA 1503 November 1979 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4444 DC 1592[n 4] DA 1526 November 1979 MAXX Blue North Island Technology test train, non-standard livery[n 5] DCP 4450 DC 1593[n 4] DA 1458 December 1979 KiwiRail South Island DC 4467 DC 1594[n 4] DA 1541 December 1979 KiwiRail North Island DC 4473 DC 1595[n 4] DA 1497 March 1980 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") South Island DC 4496 DC 1596[n 4] DA 1534 March 1980 North Island Taken out of service (reason unknown) 11/99. Scrapped not earlier than 2001 DC 4507 DC 1597[n 4] DA 1545 April 1980 Tranz Rail Blue North Island DCP 4513 DC 1598[n 4] DA 1446 April 1980 KiwiRail South Island DC 4536 DC 1599[n 4] DA 1505 July 1980 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4542 DA 1537 July 1980 Tranz Rail Blue South Island DCP 4559 DA 1539 May 1980 KiwiRail South Island DC 4565 DA 1464 July 1980 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") North Island DC 4571 DA 1522 July 1980 International Orange North Island DC 4588 DA 1489 August 1980 North Island Shipped to Tasmania in 1998, sold to TasRail. Sold for scrap mid 2011.[1] DC 4594 DA 1538 September 1980 Toll Rail ("Corn cob") North Island DCP 4605 DA 1524 September 1980 KiwiRail North Island DCP 4611 DA 1498 September 1980 KiwiRail South Island DCP 4628 DA 1491 November 1980 KiwiRail South Island DCP 4634 DA 1474 December 1980 KiwiRail North Island DC 4640 DA 1466 December 1980 Tranz Rail Blue South Island DC 4657 DA 1477 December 1980 July 2002 North Island Scrapped following heavy damage sustained in fatal derailment at Te Wera in 2002 DCP 4663 DA 1488 December 1980 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4686 DA 1465 December 1980 South Island Scrapped after falling into the Rangitata River, January 2002. DC 4692 DA 1480 March 1981 KiwiRail North Island DC 4703 DA 1472 February 1981 December 1997 North Island Derailment at Hornby 3/92 with DC 4778. Spare parts loco at Hutt until 1996. Gutted in a fire 12/96. Scrapped 1997 DC 4726 DA 1494 April 1981 KiwiRail South Island DC 4732 DA 1499 March 1981 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4749 DA 1495 March 1981 North Island Scrapped not earlier than 2001 DCP 4755 DA 1496 February 1981 Tranz Rail Blue South Island DCP 4761 DA 1469 November 1981 KiwiRail South Island DC 4778 DA 1487 November 1982 December 1997 North Island Derailment at Hornby 3/92 with DC 4703. Spare parts loco at Hutt until 1996. Gutted in a fire 12/96. Scrapped 1997 DC 4784 DA 1476 December 1982 Tranz Rail Blue South Island DCP 4790 DA 1482 February 1983 KiwiRail North Island Made 2 appearances in Yogi Bear: The Movie DCP 4801 DA 1484 March 1983 KiwiRail South Island In service DCP 4818 DA 1481 April 1983 KiwiRail North Island Hit a mudslide near Maymorn October 2009, rebuilt and repainted. Has replaced DCP 4605 in ARTA service. DC 4824 DA 1486 June 1983 South Island Taken out of service in damaged condition (fire?) 1/01. Scrapped 2002 DCP 4830 DA 1516 July 1983 Toll Rail ("Corn Cob") North Island DC 4847 DA 1475 August 1983 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") South Island DC 4853 DA 1485 September 1983 Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee") South Island DC 4876 DA 1492 November 1983 International Orange South Island DC 4916 DA 1453 August 1980 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4922 DA 1479 December 1980 MAXX Blue North Island First DC painted NZ Rail (later Tranz-Rail) Blue 7/91 DC 4939 DA 1457 March 1981 MAXX Blue North Island DCP 4945 DA 1456 August 1981 MAXX Blue North Island DC 4951 DA 1459 December 1981 MAXX Blue North Island - ^ a b Not all DC class received the original numbers, as TMS was introduced in 1980, halfway during the rebuilding.
- ^ Introduction dates are from when the locomotive first ran as a DC class locomotive, not DA class.
- ^ Livery is from latest information posted on New Zealand Railtrack.[3]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r The road numbers 1582 to 1599 were allocated to these units but not displayed on the locomotives themselves, which were delivered to New Zealand with new TMS numbers already applied.
- ^ Locomotive number displayed on long hood in place of MAXX instead of on the cab.
In popular culture
- DC 4346 (then DC 1582) was seen in the 1981 film Goodbye Pork Pie, towing a westbound freight train over the Midland Line. Attached to the train was the boxcar in which Gerry, John, and the yellow Mini were hiding.
- DC 4202 was used in the filming of the penulimate scene of the 1982 film Smash Palace. The locomotive was hauling an up North Island Main Trunk freight train, which almost crashed into a Model T Ford containing Al Shaw and policeman Ray Foley. At the last second, the train changes onto a passing loop, missing them competely.
References
- ^ a b "Rail Tasmania - DC class". http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ^ "Media Release: Bus and Train Upgrades Announced". http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/about-us/News/LatestNews/Pages/Media-Release-Bus-and-Train-Upgrades.aspx. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- ^ "New Zealand RailTrack". http://www.quicktrip.co.nz/rails/railtrack.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ "Milk train derailed". New Zealand Herald. 25 September 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10676006.
External links
- New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction - Class DC
- Rail Tasmania information - Class DC
- New Zealand DC Class Locomotives
Categories:- Diesel locomotives of New Zealand
- A1A-A1A locomotives
- Cape gauge railway locomotives
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