NZR DI class

New Zealand DI Class

Type and origin Power type Diesel-Electric Builder English Electric Rocklea works, Queensland, Australia Build date 1966

Specifications UIC class Co-Co Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 13.8 metres (45 ft 3 in) Axle load 10.16 tonnes (10.00 long tons; 11.20 short tons) Adhesive weight 61.0 tonnes (60.0 long tons; 67.2 short tons) Loco weight 61.0 tonnes (60.0 long tons; 67.2 short tons) Prime mover English Electric 6CSRKT Aspiration Turbocharged and Intercooled Traction motors Six English Electric 540/1A

Performance figures Maximum speed 97 km/h (60 mph) Power output 755 kW (1,012 hp) Tractive effort 132 kN (30,000 lbf)

Career Number in class 5 Numbers 1100 - 1104 (original) 1808 - 1843 (TMS) Locale All of New Zealand First run 1966 Last run 1988 - 1989 Disposition Withdrawn 1 preserved

The New Zealand DI class locomotive was a class of diesel-electric locomotive in New Zealand. They were built by English Electric Australia. The class is very similar to the Queensland Railways 1620 class locomotives. At the time of their introduction, the class was seen as an alternative to the DB class for use on lightly laid secondary and branch lines, more so in the South Island, however the IMF financed introduction of the Japanese built DJ class in 1968 ensured that no further DI class locomotives were purchased by the Railways Department.

Service

Three members of the class originally operated in the South Island, mainly on the Main North Line between Christchurch and Picton, while the other two members started life in the North Island. In 1969, all members were transferred to work in the Bay of Plenty area on the lightly laid track there. After the Kaimai Tunnel opened in 1978, all five members were transferred to the South Island for service in the Dunedin area. The class performed sterling service on the hilly Dunedin - Palmerston section of the Main South Line and were used to haul the Inch Valley branch line stone trains due to their full adhesion Co-Co wheel set arrangement. On occasions, members of the class made trips to Invercargill as the roster allocated and were used on the Otago Central Line as far as Ranfurly. They remained in Dunedin until 1984 – 1985, when they went north to Wellington and Napier. In their latter days the DI class was used mainly for shunting duties.

Withdrawal and preservation

In 1988, three members of the class were written off following accidents. The remaining two locomotives were withdrawn by 1989, following the conversion of the DSC class shunting locomotives to right-hand control.

Originally selected for Preservation was DI 1104 (1843) by the Diesel Traction Group, however during the late '80's the engine was scrapped after following a collision with a truck at a level crossing, which eventually led to the Diesel Traction Group to preserve DI 1102 (1820) instead for preservation being the best one of the fleet, which has been preserved by the Diesel Traction Group at Ferrymead. The locomotive is under restoration at the Diesel Traction Group and is planned to be used on heritage trains when completed.

Class register

Key:	In service	Out of service	Preserved	Overhaul/Repair	Scrapped

TMS number	Original number	Introduced	Withdrawn	Notes
1808	1100	1966	1988	Written off in 1988 after flashover in main generator. Dismantled at Hutt Workshops in 1991.
1814	1101	1966	1988
1820	1102	1966	1989	Preserved, Diesel Traction Group.
1837	1103	1966	1988	Written off and scrapped in 1988 after throwing a conrod.
1843	1104	1966	1988	Written off and scrapped in 1988 after being damaged in a level crossing accident near Otaki.

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

• Queensland Rail 1620 Class
• Diesel Traction Group, Christchurch