NZR EA class

NZR EA/EO class
EO45 at Plimmerton in 2008.
Power type	Electric
Builder	Toshiba Heavy Industries, Japan.
Build date	1968
UIC classification	Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Length	11.6 metres (38 ft)
Weight on drivers	55 tonnes (54 long tons; 61 short tons)
Locomotive weight	55 tonnes (54 long tons; 61 short tons)
Electric system	1500 V DC
Current collection method	Pantograph
Traction motors	4
Top speed	72 km/h (45 mph)
Power output	960 kW (1,290 hp)
Class	originally Ea, now EO
Number in class	5
Number	Ea 1-5 (original) EO39-74 (TMS)
Locale	originally Otira-Arthur's Pass, now Wellington
First run	1968
Last run	1997
Disposition	3 refurbished, 2 unrefurbished

The NZR Ea class (EO from 1968) were used by New Zealand Railways between 1968 and 1997 on the Otira-Arthur's Pass section of the Midland line in the South Island, through the Otira Tunnel. Following reconditioning, three have been used by KiwiRail's Tranz Metro in Wellington to top and tail Metlink suburban passenger trains as an interim measure before new rolling stock arrives.

Introduction

The class replaced the Eo class of 1923 on Otira Tunnel duties.

Withdrawal

When the Otira-Arthur's Pass electrification was discontinued in 1997 in favor of dieselisation with modified DX locomotives and upgrading the Otira Tunnel ventilation, the locomotives were withdrawn from service. Two were stored at the Ferrymead Railway and three at Picton.

Reuse in Wellington

In 2007 the three Picton locomotives were transferred to Hutt Workshops in the North Island for refurbishment for use by Tranz Metro on Wellington suburban commuter trains as a short-term solution to increase capacity on the Wellington network before the arrival of the FP class EMUs. The locomotives top and tail six ex-British Rail Mark 2 carriages owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and refurbished at the Hillside Workshops. The first such train ran on 8 December 2008. One is kept as a spare to allow maintenance to take place. The Railtrack system locates the other two units at Hutt Workshops in their original livery.

The fate of all units once they are no longer required on suburban duties has yet to be determined, though it is likely that the two ex-Ferrymead units (EO39 & 68) will be returned there. One possible use for the refurbished units is a return to banking duties and replace the two Wellington-based DBR diesel locomotives currently employed in this role, although they would be limited to areas with electrification.

Gallery

• 

  Three EO locomotives at Otira.

• 

  A locomotive at Plimmerton in 2008.

Class register

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

Original no.	TMS no.	Introduced	Withdrawn[n 1]	Livery[1]	Notes
Ea 1	EO39	01968-04 April 1968	01997 1997	NZGR	Stored, Hutt Workshops.
Ea 2	EO45	01968-04 April 1968	01997 1997	KiwiRail	Wellington suburban service.
Ea 3	EO51	01968-04 April 1968	01997 1997	KiwiRail	Wellington suburban service.
Ea 4	EO68	01968-04 April 1968	01997 1997	NZGR	Stored, Hutt Workshops.
Ea 5	EO74	01968-04 April 1968	01997 1997	KiwiRail	Wellington suburban service.

1. ^ Withdrawal dates are from Otira service.

References

Citations

1. ^ "Railtrack". 21 August 2010. http://www.quicktrip.co.nz/rails/railtrack.htm. Retrieved 21 August 2010. 

Books

• Parsons, David (2002). New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002. New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. pp. 64. ISBN 0908573780. http://www.railsoc.org.nz/pub/books.htm.