NZR DF class (1954)
Encyclopedia
The NZR
DF class 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.
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 10 DFs and 42 DG
locomotives. The DG class in appearance was essentially half a DF, with a similar Bulldog nose
cab design. The DF locomotives were lighter than the DAs and were used to haul freight trains on lines in Northland and the Bay of Plenty
from which the DAs were prohibited. Their only trips to the South Island
were to visit Dunedin
for maintenance.
, 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.
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...
DF class of 1954 was the first class of mainline diesel-electric locomotives built for New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's national 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...
, built by English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
. It should not be confused with General Motors Electro-Motive Division 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....
of 1979.
Introduction
They had a wheel arrangement of (2'Co)(Co'2) under the UIC classificationUIC classification
The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is set out in the International Union of Railways "Leaflet 650 - Standard designation of axle arrangement on locomotives and multiple-unit sets". It is used in much...
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
NZR DA class
The NZR Da diesel-electric mainline locomotive class ran on the New Zealand railway system between 1955 and 1989. With 146 locomotives, it was the most numerous class to operate in New Zealand, just five more than the AB class steam locomotive....
of 1955.
Initially, 31 DF locomotives were ordered, but this order was amended to 10 DFs and 42 DG
NZR DG class
The NZR DG and DH class locomotives were a class of diesel-electric locomotives used on New Zealand's national rail network, built by English Electric.- Introduction :...
locomotives. The DG class in appearance was essentially half a DF, with a similar Bulldog nose
Bulldog nose
"Bulldog nose" is the nickname given, due to their appearance, to several diesel locomotives manufactured by GM-EMD and its licencees from 1939 to 1970...
cab design. The DF locomotives were lighter than the DAs and were used to haul freight trains on lines in Northland and the Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty , often abbreviated to BOP, is a region in the North Island of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name...
from which the DAs were prohibited. Their only trips to the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
were to visit Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
for maintenance.
Withdrawal
Unfortunately, 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 1501, was withdrawn in June 1975.Preserved locomotive
DF 1501 was then preserved as a static display at Sim Pacific Metals Limited in Auckland. After many years exposed to the elements, the locomotive was in a poor condition. In 2007, the locomotive was purchased by the Federation of Rail Organsiations of New Zealand who concluded an agreement with the Diesel Traction Group, of ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, 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
Ferrymead Railway
The Ferrymead Railway is a New Zealand heritage railway built upon the formation of New Zealand's first public railway, the line from Ferrymead to Christchurch, which opened in 1863. On the opening of the line to Lyttelton on 9 December 1867, the Ferrymead Railway became the Ferrymead Branch and...
base a few days later.
Class register
| Number | Introduced | Withdrawn | Notes |
| DF 1501 | Preserved by Diesel Traction Group, Ferrymead Ferrymead Railway The Ferrymead Railway is a New Zealand heritage railway built upon the formation of New Zealand's first public railway, the line from Ferrymead to Christchurch, which opened in 1863. On the opening of the line to Lyttelton on 9 December 1867, the Ferrymead Railway became the Ferrymead Branch and... . |
||
| DF 1502 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1503 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1504 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1505 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1506 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1507 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1508 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1509 | Scrapped. | ||
| DF 1500 | Scrapped. Originally DF 1510 |