NZR DE class

NZR DE class
NZR DE class 504 in service for Taieri Gorge Railway, shunting at Dunedin.
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	English Electric, Preston, United Kingdom
Build date	1951–1952
UIC classification	Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Length	11.6 metres (38 ft 1 in)
Locomotive weight	52.0 tonnes (51.2 long tons; 57.3 short tons)
Fuel type	Diesel
Prime mover	English Electric 6SRKT Mk 1
Top speed	97 km/h (60 mph)
Power output	490 kW (660 hp)
Tractive effort	54 kN (12,000 lbf)
Number in class	15
Number	501–515 (original) 1308–1458 (TMS)
First run	1952
Last run	1989
Retired	1987–1989
Disposition	8 scrapped 6 preserved 1 in service

The NZR DE class is a New Zealand class of shunting diesel-electric locomotives. The New Zealand Railways intended to replace steam locomotives for shunting duties with this class. They are physically similar to the Tasmanian Government Railways X class, which were also of English Electric design.

Introduction

A number of the DEs were used in pairs (each locomotive crewed) on the Royal Trains when Queen Elizabeth the Second visited New Zealand in 1953. The class was also used for suburban passenger trains in Auckland and Wellington.

The class was initially based in the North Island, but at four of the class were sent to the South Island in 1981. The class was slowly dispersed to secondary yards on the New Zealand network, such as Napier, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Withdrawal

As part of the New Zealand Railways Corporation plan to reduce the number of first-generation diesels in the late 1980s, a number of the class were scrapped or sold for preservation. Two locomotives have been preserved by the Diesel Traction Group at Ferrymead, two at Glenbrook Vintage Railway, and two at the Silver Stream Railway. One locomotive remains in service for the Taieri Gorge Railway in Dunedin.

Class register

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

Original no.	TMS no.	Introduced	Current status	Notes
501	1308[n 1]	01952-05 May 1952	01987-02 February 1987	Scrapped in 1990.
502	1314	01952-06 June 1952	Written off 1986.
503	1320	01952-07 July 1952	Written off 1988.
504	1337	01952-07 July 1952	Written off 1989.	In service for the Taieri Gorge Railway
505	1343	01952-08 August 1952	Written off 1984.	Preserved by Silver Stream Railway
506	1366	01952-12 December 1952	Withdrawn 1980s.	Scrapped in 1990.
507	1372[n 2]	01952-08 August 1952	Written off 1988	Preserved by Glenbrook Vintage Railway
508	1389	01952-12 December 1952	01989-01 January 1989	Preserved by Silver Stream Railway.
509	1395	01953-02 February 1953	01988-02 February 1988	Preserved by Glenbrook Vintage Railway
510	1406	01953-02 February 1953	Written off 1987
511	1412	01952-08 August 1952	Written off 1987	Preserved by Diesel Traction Group, Ferrymead.
512	1429	01952-12 December 1952	Written off 1987.	Preserved by Diesel Traction Group, Ferrymead
513	1435	01952-08 August 1952	Written off 1987
514	1441	01953-06 June 1953	Written off 1984	Scrapped in 1990
515	1458	01953-09 September 1953	01988-12 December 1988	Written off 1989

1. ^ Originally numbered 1936.
2. ^ Originally numbered 1994.

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

• Diesel Traction Group, Christchurch