NZR DL class
Encyclopedia
The NZR DL class is a class of diesel-electric
locomotives manufactured for KiwiRail
by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company
with engines from MTU
. They are the most powerful diesel-electric locomotives in service in New Zealand.
20 locomotives were ordered in 2009 and delivered between 2010 and 2011, a further 20 units were ordered in 2011 for delivery in 2012.
At introduction they were the first new diesel-electric locomotives to enter service on the New Zealand railway network
in 30 years.The previous class of diesel-electric locomotives to enter service in New Zealand being the DF class
which entered service between 1979–1981 The purchase of the locomotives marks one of the first steps of considerable investment in KiwiRail
, as well as the first export order for a Chinese-built locomotive to a western country.
after they purchased Tranz Rail
in 2003. When Toll assumed responsibility for the operation of the rail network, a new crown business was created to own and maintain the track assets; ONTRACK. However, after several years of negotiations between Toll and ONTRACK, the two parties could not come to an agreement on the amount that Toll should pay for access to the rail network (track access fees). Accordingly, Toll did not purchase any new locomotives while the track access issue remained unsolved. In July 2008, the fifth Labour Government purchased Toll Rail from Toll, renamed it KiwiRail, and merged ONTRACK into it, creating one company that controls both operations and rail infrastructure. A couple of weeks after the new company was officially launched, then State Owned Enterprises Minister Trevor Mallard
announced that the government was investigating the possibility of assembling new locomotives at United Group’s Hutt Workshops
facility from imported parts.
Following the election of the fifth National government
in November 2008, the railways investment programme initiated by the previous administration was suspended pending a review. In March 2009, the government announced that it had authorised KiwiRail to invest $115m in new rolling stock. These funds were allocated to the purchase of 20 new locomotives ($75m) and carriages for the Tranz Scenic
services ($40m). The locomotives were to be built in China by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock (CNR Group)
and imported ready-assembled. It was explained that the decision to import the locomotives, rather than build them locally as had been investigated by the previous government, was made primarily for two reasons: cost and time-to-service.
A further 20 units were ordered in June 2011.
, Hamilton three days later for the commissioning and driver training process to take place. A ceremony to mark the commissioning of the new locomotives was held at Te Rapa during the morning of Friday the 10 December. The service was attended by many KiwiRail staff, including CEO Jim Quinn. Guests included Prime Minister John Key
and Minister of Transport Steven Joyce
, whose government's investment in KiwiRail made the purchase of new locomotives possible. CNR officials were also present, with the chairman of CNR Cui Diangao explaining to media that the supply of locomotives to KiwiRail is the first time that Chinese locomotives have been exported to a developed country.
The first six were used for driver training and rail system compliance testing, the New Zealand Transport Agency
gave the locomotives certification for New Zealand in May 2011.
The remaining 14 of the first batch had been manufactured by April 2011, and were shipped by the Tasman Trader, to arrive in Auckland in June 2011.
was promoted as a way of creating jobs at a time when the economy was entering a recession and unemployment was rising. Critics of the idea pointed out that New Zealand did not possess the necessary skilled labour in sufficient quantity for such a construction programme to proceed in a timely manner, and had not done so for several decades since the New Zealand Government Railways
ceased building its own locomotives. The alternative of importing locomotives was billed as the quickest way to obtain the necessary new motive power. A review also found that locally built locomotives would be some 70% more expensive than purchasing from CNR.
Critics also questioned the potential reliability of the locomotives to be purchased, citing a case of Dalian-built locomotives in Malaysia encountering a number of initial technical problems (see KTM Class 29
).
On delivery the railway workers union (RMTU
) raised concerns over cab visibility, and the locomotive's weight; KiwiRail have confirmed that the locomotive weighs 105t, and that the cab meets US standards, and is the same as used in a number of other countries – they also pointed out that the design reflected the need for the cab to be as strong as possible.
20V 4000R43 engine, which is expected to have 5–10% increased fuel efficiency over the previous locomotive fleet, Wabtec braking equipment, and ZD126C traction motors. The cab layout incorporates design elements from the British Rail Class 60
with a near central pedestal controller.
Diesel-electric
Diesel-electric transmission or diesel-electric powertrain is used by a number of vehicle and ship types for providing locomotion.A diesel-electric transmission system includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric traction motors...
locomotives manufactured for KiwiRail
KiwiRail
KiwiRail Holdings Limited is the rail operations subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, which trades as KiwiRail. Headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. Since July 2010 John Spencer has been the Chairman...
by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company
Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company
CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company , often abbreviated as DLoco, is a company located in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, producing railway locomotives, multiple units and diesel engines....
with engines from MTU
MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
. They are the most powerful diesel-electric locomotives in service in New Zealand.
20 locomotives were ordered in 2009 and delivered between 2010 and 2011, a further 20 units were ordered in 2011 for delivery in 2012.
At introduction they were the first new diesel-electric locomotives to enter service on the New Zealand railway network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
in 30 years.The previous class of diesel-electric locomotives to enter service in New Zealand being the DF class
NZR DF class (1979)
The NZR DF class of 1979 is a class of 30 Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives built by General Motors Diesel of Canada between 1979 and 1981. Between 1992 and 1997, all the locomotives were rebuilt as the DFT class, a turbocharged version of the DF....
which entered service between 1979–1981 The purchase of the locomotives marks one of the first steps of considerable investment in KiwiRail
KiwiRail
KiwiRail Holdings Limited is the rail operations subsidiary of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, which trades as KiwiRail. Headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, KiwiRail is the largest rail transport operator in New Zealand. Since July 2010 John Spencer has been the Chairman...
, as well as the first export order for a Chinese-built locomotive to a western country.
Background history
The acquisition of new locomotives for the rail network was first proposed by Toll NZToll NZ
Toll Group Limited is a New Zealand trucking company. A subsidiary of the Australian company Toll Holdings, it has its headquarters in Auckland. It carries out operations by road and in the air, and formerly by rail and sea....
after they purchased Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
in 2003. When Toll assumed responsibility for the operation of the rail network, a new crown business was created to own and maintain the track assets; ONTRACK. However, after several years of negotiations between Toll and ONTRACK, the two parties could not come to an agreement on the amount that Toll should pay for access to the rail network (track access fees). Accordingly, Toll did not purchase any new locomotives while the track access issue remained unsolved. In July 2008, the fifth Labour Government purchased Toll Rail from Toll, renamed it KiwiRail, and merged ONTRACK into it, creating one company that controls both operations and rail infrastructure. A couple of weeks after the new company was officially launched, then State Owned Enterprises Minister Trevor Mallard
Trevor Mallard
Trevor Colin Mallard is a New Zealand politician. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand holding portfolios including Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup and Education. He was also Associate Minister of Finance.-Early...
announced that the government was investigating the possibility of assembling new locomotives at United Group’s Hutt Workshops
Hutt Workshops
The Hutt Railway Workshops is a major railway engineering facility in the Lower Hutt suburb of Gracefield in the Wellington region of New Zealand’s North Island...
facility from imported parts.
Following the election of the fifth National government
Fifth National Government of New Zealand
The Fifth National Government of New Zealand is the current government of New Zealand. It is led by Prime Minister John Key.After the 2008 general election the National Party and its allies were able to form a government, taking over from Helen Clark's Fifth Labour Government. The National party...
in November 2008, the railways investment programme initiated by the previous administration was suspended pending a review. In March 2009, the government announced that it had authorised KiwiRail to invest $115m in new rolling stock. These funds were allocated to the purchase of 20 new locomotives ($75m) and carriages for the Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic
Tranz Scenic is the long-distance passenger train brand of KiwiRail, formed from the New Zealand Railways Corporation InterCity Rail services. Tranz Scenic was renamed along with the other operating divisions of Tranz Rail in 1995...
services ($40m). The locomotives were to be built in China by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock (CNR Group)
Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company
CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company , often abbreviated as DLoco, is a company located in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, producing railway locomotives, multiple units and diesel engines....
and imported ready-assembled. It was explained that the decision to import the locomotives, rather than build them locally as had been investigated by the previous government, was made primarily for two reasons: cost and time-to-service.
A further 20 units were ordered in June 2011.
Introduction and tests
The first 6 of the first batch of 20 locomotives arrived in New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on 20 November 2010, and were moved to Te RapaTe Rapa
Te Rapa is a mixed light industrial, large scale retail and semi-rural suburb to the northwest of central Hamilton, New Zealand.Stretching in a long, thin north-south axis, Te Rapa is home to a large number of factories including Te Rapa Dairy Factory, one of the largest of its kind in the world...
, Hamilton three days later for the commissioning and driver training process to take place. A ceremony to mark the commissioning of the new locomotives was held at Te Rapa during the morning of Friday the 10 December. The service was attended by many KiwiRail staff, including CEO Jim Quinn. Guests included Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
and Minister of Transport Steven Joyce
Steven Joyce
Steven Leonard Joyce is a New Zealand politician, who entered the New Zealand House of Representatives in 2008 as a member of the New Zealand National Party...
, whose government's investment in KiwiRail made the purchase of new locomotives possible. CNR officials were also present, with the chairman of CNR Cui Diangao explaining to media that the supply of locomotives to KiwiRail is the first time that Chinese locomotives have been exported to a developed country.
The first six were used for driver training and rail system compliance testing, the New Zealand Transport Agency
New Zealand Transport Agency
The New Zealand Transport Agency is a New Zealand Crown entity tasked with promoting safe and functional transport by land, including the responsibility for driver and vehicle licensing and investigating rail accidents. It was created on 1 August 2008 by the Land Transport Management Amendment...
gave the locomotives certification for New Zealand in May 2011.
The remaining 14 of the first batch had been manufactured by April 2011, and were shipped by the Tasman Trader, to arrive in Auckland in June 2011.
Operations
The locomotives will be deployed into freight service, on services currently hauled by two locomotives and/or on services where having a double cab locomotive is particularly beneficial to operations.Criticism
The idea of building the locomotives in New Zealand as advocated by the previous Fifth Labour GovernmentFifth Labour Government of New Zealand
The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand between 10 December 1999 and 19 November 2008.-Overview:The fourth National government, in power since 1990, was widely unpopular by 1999, with much of the public antagonised by a series of free-market economic reforms,...
was promoted as a way of creating jobs at a time when the economy was entering a recession and unemployment was rising. Critics of the idea pointed out that New Zealand did not possess the necessary skilled labour in sufficient quantity for such a construction programme to proceed in a timely manner, and had not done so for several decades since the New Zealand Government Railways
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
ceased building its own locomotives. The alternative of importing locomotives was billed as the quickest way to obtain the necessary new motive power. A review also found that locally built locomotives would be some 70% more expensive than purchasing from CNR.
Critics also questioned the potential reliability of the locomotives to be purchased, citing a case of Dalian-built locomotives in Malaysia encountering a number of initial technical problems (see KTM Class 29
KTM Class 29
The KTM Class 29 is a class of mainline diesel electric locomotives built in China by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company for operations by Keretapi Tanah Melayu of Malaysia on its freight services.-History:...
).
On delivery the railway workers union (RMTU
Rail & Maritime Transport Union
The Rail & Maritime Transport Union is a trade union in New Zealand. It represents transport workers in all aspects of the transport industry; rail, road and ports....
) raised concerns over cab visibility, and the locomotive's weight; KiwiRail have confirmed that the locomotive weighs 105t, and that the cab meets US standards, and is the same as used in a number of other countries – they also pointed out that the design reflected the need for the cab to be as strong as possible.
Design
The DL locomotives use a 2.7MW German built MTUMTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
20V 4000R43 engine, which is expected to have 5–10% increased fuel efficiency over the previous locomotive fleet, Wabtec braking equipment, and ZD126C traction motors. The cab layout incorporates design elements from the British Rail Class 60
British Rail Class 60
The British Rail Class 60 is a class of Co-Co heavy freight diesel-electric locomotives built by Brush Traction. They are nicknamed Tugs by Rail Enthusiasts.-History:...
with a near central pedestal controller.
Class register
| TMS No. | Introduced | Current Livery | Status | Allocated to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL 9008 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9014 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9020 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9037 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9043 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9066 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9072 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9089 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9095 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9106 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9112 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9129 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9135 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9141 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9158 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9164 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9170 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9187 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9193 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island | ||
| DL 9204 | KiwiRail | In service | North Island |