NZR DF class (1979)
| NZR DF / DFT class (General Motors) | |
 DFT 7145 in Ahuriri Yard, Napier - 8 June 2003. Photo by Joseph Christianson
| |
| Power type | Diesel-Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | General Motors, Canada Rebuilt to DFT class 1992 - 1997 by Tranz Rail |
| Build date | 1979-1981 |
| UIC classification | Co-Co |
| Length | 16.7 m |
| Total weight | 86t |
| Prime mover | GM 12-645; V12 |
| Top speed | 113 km/h |
| Power output | DF: 1230 kW / 1650 hp DFT: 1800 kW / 2400 hp |
| Tractive effort | 198 kN |
| Career | New Zealand Railways, Tranz Rail, Toll Rail |
| Number in class | 30 |
| Number | TMS numbers: DF 6006 - 6317 DFT 7008 - 7335 Early numbers:1651 - 1670 |
| Locale | All of New Zealand |
| First run | 1978 |
| Disposition | In service |
The NZR General Motors DF class, now upgraded to the DFT class, consists of thirty locomotives built by General Motors of Canada between 1979 and 1981. The class should not be confused with the English Electric DF class of 1954; as all of the old DFs had been retired by mid-1975, the 'DF' classification was free to be re-used. These new DFs were built with a wheel arrangement of Co-Co as defined by the UIC classification system, could produce 1650 hp (1230 kW), and run at speeds up to 113 km/h. The locomotives worked on both islands; in the North Island, they were initially based around the Bay of Plenty, while in the South Island, their weight initially restricted them to the Main North Line between Christchurch and Picton, but improvements to the network later permitted them to use the Main South Line to Invercargill and the Midland Line to Arthur's Pass.
The locomotives received an upgrade in the late 1980s to improve visibility for the driver - this involved a large single front window replacing the original configuration that had two small windows instead. Another upgrade took place in the 1990s. In 1992, the first DF was turbocharged and reclassified as DFT, and after trials, the remaining twenty-nine were converted to DFTs, with the last converted in 1997. The locomotives can now generate 2400 hp (1800 kW) and twenty-nine are in operation today. Their running numbers range from 7008 to 7335.
Two subclasses of the DFT class are the DFB and DFM classes. These designations denote upgrades performed under Toll Rail's ownership.
External links
- New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction Class DF (General Motors)
- New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction Class DFT
