NZR DF class (1954)

New Zealand DF class (English Electric)

English Electric DF 1501 on display outside Sims-PMI in Otahuhu, Auckland. The locomotive has since moved to the Diesel Traction Group, Ferrymead Historic Park.
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder English Electric, United Kingdom
Build date 1954
Specifications
AAR wheel arr 2-C+C-2
UIC class (2'Co)(Co'2)
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length 18.7 metres (61 ft 4 in)
Adhesive weight 73.4 tonnes (72.2 long tons; 80.9 short tons)
Loco weight 110 tonnes (110 long tons; 120 short tons)
Prime mover English Electric 12SVT Mk 2
RPM range 750 - 850 rpm
Engine type V12 Diesel engine
Aspiration Turbocharger
Generator English Electric 828A
Traction motors Six English Electric 525 / 2A
Cylinders 12
Cylinder size 254 mm × 305 mm (10.0 in × 12.0 in)
Performance figures
Maximum speed 97 km/h (60 mph)
Power output 1,120 kW (1,500 hp)
Tractive effort 180 kN (40,000 lbf)
Career
Number in class 10
Numbers 1500 - 1509 (1954 to 1965)
1300 - 1309 (1965 to 1975)
Locale North Island
First run 1954
Last run 1975
Disposition 1 preserved, 9 scrapped

The New Zealand DF class locomotive of 1954 was the first class of mainline diesel-electric locomotives built for New Zealand's national railway network, built by English Electric. It should not be confused with General Motors Electro-Motive Division DF class of 1979.

Introduction

They had a wheel arrangement of (2'Co)(Co'2) under the UIC classification system, generated 1120 kW (1500 hp) of power, and could achieve a maximum speed of 97 km/h. They started the process of displacing steam motive power from main lines in New Zealand, but were soon displaced themselves by the DA class of 1955.

Initially, 31 DF locomotives were ordered, but this order was amended to ten DFs and 42 DG class locomotives,[1] which in appearance was essentially half a DF but with a similar Bulldog nose cab design. The DF locomotives were lighter than the later and slightly less powerful DAs and were used to haul freight trains on the North Auckland and East Coast Main Trunk lines in Northland and the Bay of Plenty from which the DAs were prohibited by dint of the higher axle loading of the DA class. The DF class were confined to the North Island, although they did all visit Dunedin for overhaul at Hillside Workshops. The locomotives did not run in service during their journeys to and from Hillside, instead being towed. They were allowed to move under their own power once there and haul transfer freight trains to and from Port Chalmers and Mosgiel as part of tests before returning to service.

On the arrival of the Phase III DA's in 1964, the DF class was renumbered from the 1500 series to the 1300 series in order to free up the 1500-series numbers for the new DA's.

Withdrawal

The DFs were plagued by unreliability and often had to undergo repairs. This contributed to their short lifespan; withdrawal began in 1972 and the last, DF 1301, was withdrawn in June 1975. A plan to shift the whole fleet to the South Island to join their smaller but more versatile DG siblings was proposed. They were to operate on the hilly Dunedin to Oamaru section of the Main South Line but a new locomotive type was chosen in the DJ class.

Preserved locomotive

DF 1301, the first locomotive built, was placed on static display at Sim Pacific Metals Limited in Auckland, replacing K 900. As part of this it was renumbered to its original number of 1501, but with V-shaped nose stripes in place of the original wing-shaped ones. Initially displayed in the open, a limited shelter was built over the locomotive at a later date although this did not halt the progressive deterioration of the locomotive.

In 2007, the locomotive was purchased by the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand who concluded an agreement with the Diesel Traction Group, of Christchurch, to have the locomotive moved to their premises for restoration. The first stage of this relocation took place in August 2008 when 1501 was re-railed and then towed to Westfield Diesel Depot for assessment. In January 2009, members of the Group accompanied the locomotive on a three-day, 1,100 km trip to Christchurch, from where it moved to their Ferrymead Railway base a few days later.

Class register

Key: In service Out of service Preserved Overhaul/Repair Scrapped
Number[n 1] Introduced Withdrawn Notes
1500 October 1955 May 1974 Originally DF 1510.
1501 March 1955 June 1975 Preserved by Diesel Traction Group.
1502 July 1955 August 1972
1503 September 1954 January 1972
1504 October 1954 August 1972
1505 October 1954 August 1972
1506 November 1954 May 1974
1507 December 1954 January 1972
1508 December 1954 January 1972
1509 March 1955 January 1972
  1. Class renumbered 1300 to 1309 in November 1965.

References and citations

Citations

  1. "The DG class". New Zealand Railfan (Triple M Productions) 5 (4).

References

External links

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