New Zealand DC class locomotive

New Zealand DC class
DC 4254 in service for ARTA (now Auckland Transport) at Papakura in 2006.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Canada (original builder) Clyde Engineering, Australia (re-builder, 80 units) NZR Hutt Workshops, Lower Hutt, New Zealand (re-builder, 5 units) Build date 1961 - 1967 (as DA class) 1978 - 1981 (rebuilt as DC class)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC A1A-A1A Gauge 1067 Wheel diameter 1.25 metres (4 ft 1 in) Length 14.10 metres (46 ft 3 in) Width 2.72 metres (8 ft 11 in) Height 3.76 metres (12 ft 4 in) Adhesive weight 60.0 tonnes (59.1 long tons; 66.1 short tons) Loco weight 82.0 tonnes (80.7 long tons; 90.4 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover EMD 12-645C or EMD 12-645E RPM range 900 rpm Aspiration Normally aspirated (Roots blower) Cylinders V12
Performance figures Power output 1,062 kW (1,424 hp) (645C) 1,230 kW (1,650 hp) (645E) Tractive effort 140 kN (31,000 lbf)
Career Number in class 85 First run 1978 Disposition 68 in service, 1 out of service, 2 withdrawn, 14 scrapped including 1 sold to TasRail

The New Zealand DC class locomotive is the most common class of locomotive currently in operation on the New Zealand rail network. Primarily employed to haul freight trains operated by KiwiRail, the class is also used for long-distance passenger trains operated by Tranz Scenic and suburban passenger trains operated by Tranz Metro in Wellington under the Metlink brand, and Transdev in Auckland under the AT brand.

History

The TranzAlpine, hauled by two DC class locomotives skirting the Waimakariri River

DCP 4818 leaving Port Napier with a freight train in April 2007

The locomotives started life as members of the since-withdrawn Da class diesel-electric mainline locomotives, built by General Motors Canada and introduced to New Zealand between 1955 and 1967. Between 1978 and 1983, 85 of the later-build Das were rebuilt as EMD model G22AR, the DC class, with upgraded engines, new cabs and low short hoods of a style similar to the DX class introduced earlier in the 1970s and the DF class being introduced at the time. Five were rebuilt at the Hutt Workshops near Wellington and the other 80 at Clyde Engineering in Australia.

Technical details

Each DC locomotive has a General Motors 12-645C or 12-645E V12 diesel engine (the same as originally fitted to the DF class) and four traction motors, with an authorised maximum speed of 100 km/h. The locomotive is 14 metres long, has a height of 3756 mm (12 ft 4in) and weighs 82 tonnes. They can be readily identified as they are considerably shorter than the DF and DX classes and have their paired headlights arranged horizontally rather than vertically as opposed to the DFs.

In Service

History

The DC class were initially employed on many of the same routes in the North Island, mainly in freight operations but also in passenger services hauling either carriage trains or depowered 88-seater railcars.

Changes came during the 1980s; the deregulation of land transport saw railfreight volumes decline and the opening of the NIMT electrification saw the locomotive fleet reallocated. These factors saw the withdrawal between 1985 and 1989 of the DJ class and remaining DA class, with the DC class also seeing regular service in the lower South Island as a result. The cancellation of most remaining inter-region passenger services also placed the DC class into near-exclusive service on freight workings.

Current

The class continues to be a major workhorse for current owners KiwiRail, employed primarily in freight workings across the country, and operating either as single units or in multiple with other DC units or locomotives from the DBR, DFT, DX or the new DL classes.

The class are also used on KiwiRail Scenic services. In the South Island they are typically used on the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific, and in the North Island, the Northern Explorer. A pair of units are also occasionally employed to haul the Capital Connection service.

Auckland Transport Service

For several years DC class locomotives have been employed to haul suburban carriage trains in Auckland. Since 2003 the operation has been run under a service contract by Transdev Auckland, through firstly the former Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and now through Auckland Council's subsidiary, Auckland Transport.

Currently 21 DC/DCP locomotives – along with three DFT/B units – are leased to Auckland Transport to provide services, operating in push-pull mode with Auckland Transport's own ex-BR Mark 2 SA/SD cars. Originally the DC units were configured with a set of 3 SA cars and a SD driving car, but with an increase in rail patronage longer trains were provided on the Southern and Eastern lines. These trains are configured in sets of four SA cars and a SD driving car with a DC locomotive. 17 of the leased locomotives are painted in the MAXX Blue branding, with the other four units – DCs 4104, 4260 and 4346, and DCP 4818 – all in KiwiRail livery.

Tranz Metro

DC class locomotives are used to haul Tranz Metro's Wairarapa Connection services between Masterton and Wellington. The locomotives used are allocated to the services on a weekly basis by KiwiRail, rather than being permanently assigned as is the case in Auckland, and also haul freight trains between Masterton and Wellington when they are not being used on the Wairarapa Connection services. Five services are operated each way on weekdays, three of these arriving or departing Wellington at the corresponding peak times, with an additional service each way on Friday nights and two services each way on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The consists comprise Greater Wellington Regional Council's ex-BR Mark 2 SW carriages.

Numbering

Initially the D^C class were numbered sequentially commencing from D^C 1551 (the D^A class having ended at 1545 and the D^F class started at 1651). In 1980 the computerised Traffic Management System (TMS) was introduced and the entire class was renumbered with a four digit number commencing with '4' in which the last digit acted as a check number. The 49 Clyde-built units that had been numbered under the old system were renumbered in sequence with D^C 1551 becoming DC 4006 and D^C 1599 becoming DC 4536, though only the first 31 (up to D^C 1581) had entered service by that time. The remaining Clyde builds received TMS numbers through to 4876 as they entered the rebuilding, while D^C's 1582-1589 entered service bearing both their original 15xx series numbers on the headlight number boards and the later 40xx TMS numbers on the long hood.

The Hutt-built units received TMS numbers 4916 to 4951, with the numbers 4882 and 4899 not used to keep them in a separate number sub-series. The first Hutt-build was temporarily numbered DA 564 when it entered service, this being the number allocated to the unit pre-rebuild under the DA class TMS renumbering.

Livery

The class were delivered in the International Orange or "fruit salad" livery - red, grey, and yellow – which was worn by the entire class for most of the 1980s and early 90s. Since then members of the class have been repainted in a variety of schemes reflecting the varying ownership of the railways in that time or where locomotives have been leased to. These include Flying Tomato (the locomotive wearing all red) Cato Blue (Fruit Salad with blue instead of red), Bumble Bee (black and yellow), Corn Cob (green and yellow), the KiwiRail original and current schemes (grey, orange or red, and yellow), and Maxx Blue (deep blue and yellow) in AT service. Examples still exist in all schemes.

DC 4922 was the first unit to be painted in Cato Blue, 4323 the first to receive the Bumble Bee livery and 4260 the first to receive KiwiRail paint. In addition DC's 4093 and 4346 were painted for several years in non-NZR liveries (KiwiLager and Tasman Forestry respectively).

Upgrades

DCP Subclass

A subclass of the DC class, the DCP class, was established in 2002 to differentiate the locomotives owned by Tranz Scenic 2001 Ltd from those owned by Tranz Rail Ltd. The DCP classification was retained on these locomotives after the purchase of Tranz Scenic 2001 by Toll NZ, and continues to be used by KiwiRail. Further units have since received the classification. In the North Island, the DCP class is used in a general pool of locomotives with the DC class, working both freight and passenger services. In the South Island the DCP class are generally used to haul the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific services, but also see freight service as well. DCP 4663, 4818 and 4945 are amongst those leased to Veolia Transport Ltd in Auckland for suburban passenger use.

South Island DCP are fitted with bogie retention wire ropes to stop the bogies falling off in derailments.

DC Micro

In May, 1988, trials were carried out using GE's BrightStar control system on DC 4588 and DC 4939. Both locomotives had serious issues that prevented the use of this technology. In November 1988, DC 4588 was fitted with a locally developed wheelslip system, similar to the system then used on Massey-Fergusson tractors. The DC Micro system substantially enhanced traction on the A1A-A1A bogies, allowing 4588 to maximise its traction potential. 4939 followed in December 1988 and was also a success. Over the next 10 years, 64 DC locomotives had DC Micro fitted. DC Micro was also fitted to DF, DH, DX and DBR class locomotives, however, only the DBR and DH classes showed any increase in traction performance, and what was showed wasn't substantial enough to apply the system to the whole DBR and DH classes. At the same time, DA 702 was also fitted with the system. 702 showed the same impressive advancement over 4588 and 4939, however the die had already been cast for the DA class and 708 was the only example fitted. By mid-1990, DBR 1213 and DH 2822 had already been relieved of their DC Micro systems.

Locolog

Locolog is a system similar to a black box on aircraft. It was trialed successfully in 1986 on DC 4070 and DC 4778. By May 1988, all DC class locomotives had been fitted, with DC 4939 and DC 4588 being the last. The system works as a recorder and records all actions up to the point where an accident occurs. Over the years, Locolog has provided much relevant information leading up to an accident that entire volumes of safety manuals have been written. By 1991, all mainline New Zealand locomotives were fitted with Locolog. All are now fitted with the next generation, Tranzlog, locally produced.

Withdrawals

As of June 2013 a total of 16 units have been withdrawn from New Zealand service. Nine of these (4006, 4087, 4202, 4657, 4686, 4703, 4749, 4778 and 4824) have been withdrawn as a result of accidents, with a further six (4127, 4162, 4179, 4496, 4507 and 4640) withdrawn from service as surplus to then-existing and anticipated operational requirements. 14 units have been scrapped, while DC 4507 and DC 4640 are currently placed in storage at Hutt Workshops as spare parts.

Another withdrawn locomotive, DC 4588, was shipped to Tasmania (along with QR class locomotives) in December 1998 for use on TasRail, then part-owned by Tranz Rail and its parent Wisconsin Central through the Australian Transport Network. The locomotive was purchased outright by TasRail after an initial period used lease, but was placed into storage in 2002 after suffering an engine problem and was sold for scrap in 2011.

Future

It is expected that further DC class withdrawals will occur as a result of investment in infrastructure and new locomotives. The electrification of the Auckland suburban network will see the fleet employed there replaced by 57 three-car EMU's (owned by Auckland Transport) from 2014 onwards, and the announcement in June 2011 that a further 20 DL class locomotives are to be purchased included the statement that they will replace existing locomotives on a one-for-two basis. With the DC class being both the most numerous and oldest in service (if their DA history is included) they would seem the most likely to see a reduction in operating numbers. However it can be expected that a number of locomotives will be retained to meet continuing requirements.

Class register

TMS number	Original number	Rebuilt from (DA)	Introduced	Withdrawn	Current livery	Allocated	Notes
DC 4006	Dc 1551	Da 1525	March 1978	September 2002			Derailed descending the Westmere bank north of Wanganui September 2000. Scrapped 2002
DC 4012	Dc 1552	Da 1532	March 1978		KiwiRail	North Island	Appeared in RailFreight's television commercial as DC 1552
DC 4029	DC 1553	DA 1533	April 1978		International Orange	North Island
DC 4035	DC 1554	DA 1501	April 1978		MAXX Blue	North Island	Named Jo
DC 4041	DC 1555	DA 1507	May 1978		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4058	DC 1556	DA 1504	July 1978		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4064	DC 1557	DA 1512	July 1978		International Orange	North Island
DC 4070	DC 1558	DA 1514	August 1978		International Orange	North Island
DC 4087	DC 1559	DA 1515	August 1978	July 1992			Derailed at Ngaruawahia June 1992 (together with DC 4093 and DC 4369) and damaged beyond repair. Spare parts locomotive at Hutt. Scrapped 2002
DC 4093	DC 1560	DA 1523	September 1978		MAXX Blue	North Island	Former KiwiLager livery 1987 - 1992.
DC 4104	DC 1561	DA 1520	October 1978		KiwiRail	North Island	Second DC to receive KiwiRail livery. First to receive Phase 2.
DC 4110	DC 1562	DA 1509	September 1978		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island
DC 4127	DC 1563	DA 1521	December 1978	November 1999			Taken out of service as surplus to requirements. Scrapped not earlier than 2001.
DC 4133	DC 1564	DA 1519	October 1978		International Orange	South Island
DC 4156	DC 1565	DA 1513	October 1978		KiwiRail	North Island	Hit landslide in the Manawatu Gorge on 25 September 2010.
DC 4162	DC 1566	DA 1478	November 1978	May 2001			Taken out of service surplus to requirements. Scrapped 2003
DC 4179	DC 1567	DA 1511	December 1978	May 2000			Taken out of service surplus to requirements. Scrapped 2002
DC 4185	DC 1568	DA 1500	December 1978		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4191	DC 1569	DA 1508	December 1978		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4202	DC 1570	DA 1535	April 1979	October 1999			Written off and scrapped after a fatal head-on collision with DFT 7254 (now DFB 7348) and DXH (now DXB) 5448 at Waipahi, Otago on 20 October 1999.
DC 4219	DC 1571	DA 1527	February 1979		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island
DC 4225	DC 1572	DA 1506	February 1979		International Orange	North Island
DC 4231	DC 1573	DA 1529	April 1979		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island	Named Chop Suey
DC 4248	DC 1574	DA 1502	March 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4254	DC 1575	DA 1455	February 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island	Named Elena
DC 4260	DC 1576	DA 1531	May 1979		KiwiRail Phase 1	North Island	First DC class to receive KiwiRail livery. Only in class to receive Phase 1.
DCP 4277	DC 1577	DA 1483	May 1979		International Orange	South Island
DC 4283	DC 1578	DA 1493	May 1979		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island
DC 4300	DC 1579	DA 1518	June 1979		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4317	DC 1580	DA 1470	Jul 1979		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4323	DC 1581	DA 1490	May 1979		KiwiRail	North Island	First DC to receive Black ("Bumble-Bee") livery
DC 4346	DC 1582	DA 1536	September 1979		KiwiRail	North Island	Tasman Forestry livery 1991 - 1994.
DC 4352	DC 1583	DA 1528	August 1979		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island
DC 4369	DC 1584	DA 1510	October 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4375	DC 1585	DA 1540	September 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island	Named Catherine
DC 4381	DC 1586	DA 1544	August 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island	Named TFG (The Fat Girl)
DC 4398	DC 1587	DA 1542	October 1979		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4409	DC 1588	DA 1543	September 1979		International Orange	North Island
DC 4415	DC 1589	DA 1530	September 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island	Named Gwendoline
DC 4421	DC 1590	DA 1441	October 1979		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	South Island	Has a KiwiRail sticker on the nose and tail, and a different font for cabside numbers
DC 4438	DC 1591	DA 1503	November 1979		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4444	DC 1592	DA 1526	November 1979		MAXX Blue	North Island	Technology test train, non-standard livery. Named Elena T.
DCP 4450	DC 1593	DA 1458	December 1979		KiwiRail	South Island
DC 4467	DC 1594	DA 1541	December 1979		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4473	DC 1595	DA 1497	March 1980		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	South Island
DC 4496	DC 1596	DA 1534	March 1980	November 1999			Disassembled for experimental rebuild including DXR-style cab, later cancelled. Scrapped not earlier than 2001.
DC 4507	DC 1597	DA 1545	April 1980	January 2013	Tranz Rail Blue	North Island	Damaged in level crossing accident at Woodville, November 2012. Withdrawn, January 2013, currently serving as spare parts at Hutt Workshops.
DCP 4513	DC 1598	DA 1446	April 1980		KiwiRail	South Island
DC 4536	DC 1599	DA 1505	July 1980		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4542		DA 1537	July 1980		Tranz Rail Blue	South Island
DCP 4559		DA 1539	May 1980		KiwiRail	South Island
DC 4565		DA 1464	July 1980		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	North Island
DC 4571		DA 1522	July 1980		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4588		DA 1489	August 1980	1998	Tranz Rail Blue	North Island	Shipped to Tasmania in 1998, later sold to TasRail. Scrapped in 2011.
DC 4594		DA 1538	September 1980		KiwiRail	North Island
DCP 4605		DA 1524	September 1980		KiwiRail	North Island
DCP 4611		DA 1498	September 1980		KiwiRail	North Island
DCP 4628		DA 1491	November 1980		KiwiRail	South Island
DCP 4634		DA 1474	December 1980		KiwiRail	North Island
DC 4640		DA 1466	December 1980	June 2013	Tranz Rail Blue	South Island	Withdrawn from service, 25 June 2013. Currently stored at Hutt Workshops.
DC 4657		DA 1477	December 1980	July 2002			Scrapped following heavy damage sustained in fatal derailment at Te Wera in 2002.
DCP 4663		DA 1488	December 1980		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4686		DA 1465	December 1980	January 2002			Scrapped after derailing into the Rangitata River due to a washout January 2002.
DC 4692		DA 1480	March 1981		KiwiRail	North Island	Named Dora, after the Northern Explorer which it is allocated to.
DC 4703		DA 1472	February 1981	March 1992			Derailed at Hornby March 1992 with DC 4778. Spare parts loco at Hutt until gutted by fire December 1996. Scrapped 1997.
DC 4726		DA 1494	April 1981		KiwiRail	South Island
DC 4732		DA 1499	March 1981		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4749		DA 1495	March 1981	July 2000			Derailed at Edgecumbe, 2 March 1987 by an earthquake. Derailed at Mount Maunganui junction July 2000 due to train control error resulting in train entering junction turn at excessive speed. Scrapped 2002
DCP 4755		DA 1496	February 1981		Tranz Rail Blue	South Island
DCP 4761		DA 1469	November 1981		KiwiRail	South Island
DC 4778		DA 1487	November 1982	March 1992			Derailment at Hornby March 1992 with DC 4703. Spare parts loco at Hutt until gutted by fire December 1996. Scrapped 1997.
DC 4784		DA 1476	December 1982		Tranz Rail Blue	North Island
DC 4790		DA 1482	February 1983		KiwiRail	North Island	Made two appearances in Yogi Bear: The Movie. Named Yogi Bear.
DCP 4801		DA 1484	March 1983		KiwiRail	South Island
DCP 4818		DA 1481	April 1983		KiwiRail	North Island	Hit a mudslide near Maymorn 23 July 2009. Rebuilt, repainted and replaced DCP 4605 in Auckland Transport service.
DC 4824		DA 1486	June 1983	January 2001			Severely damaged by fire January 2001. Scrapped 2002.
DCP 4830		DA 1516	July 1983		Toll Rail ("Corn Cob")	North Island
DC 4847		DA 1475	August 1983		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	South Island
DC 4853		DA 1485	September 1983		Tranz Rail Black ("Bumble-Bee")	South Island
DC 4876		DA 1492	November 1983		International Orange	South Island
DC 4916		DA 1453	August 1980		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4922		DA 1479	December 1980		MAXX Blue	North Island	First DC painted NZ Rail (later Tranz Rail) Blue, July 1991.
DC 4939		DA 1457	March 1981		MAXX Blue	North Island
DCP 4945		DA 1456	August 1981		MAXX Blue	North Island
DC 4951		DA 1459	December 1981		MAXX Blue	North Island

In popular culture

• DC 4346 (then DC 1582) was seen in the 1981 film Goodbye Pork Pie, towing a westbound freight train over the Midland Line. Attached to the train was the boxcar in which Gerry, John, and the yellow Mini were hiding.
• DC 4202 was used in the filming of the penulimate scene of the 1982 film Smash Palace. The locomotive was hauling an up North Island Main Trunk freight train, which almost crashed into a Model T Ford containing Al Shaw and policeman Ray Foley. At the last second, the train changes onto a passing loop, missing them competely.

External links

• New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction - Class DC
• Rail Tasmania information - Class DC
• New Zealand DC Class Locomotives