Locomotives of New Zealand is a complete list of all locomotive classes that operate or have operated in New Zealand's railway network. It does not include locomotives used on bush tramways.
All New Zealand's main-line locomotives run on a narrow gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm).
The first locomotive in New Zealand was built by Slaughter & Co in Bristol,[1] arrived at Ferrymead[2] in May 1863[3] to work on Canterbury Provincial Railways' 5 ft 3 in gauge. It was withdrawn in 1876.[4] The Ferrymead to Christchurch railway line was not completed until 1 December 1863, so the steam locomotive Lady Barkly, in use on Invercargill's jetty in August 1863 during construction of the Bluff branch, may have been the first locomotive in steam.[5] The first steam engines built in New Zealand were produced in 1872. Fraser and Tinne built an 0-4-0 in Auckland in 1872, but it was based on a Hornsby traction engine.[6] Similarly, a steam crane was converted during construction of the Port Chalmers railway,[7] though it could only haul about 10 tons.[8] The first locomotive entirely built in the country was a 10hp engine for the Foxton Tramway contractor, Ashworth Crawshaw,[9] by R. S. Sparrow & Co in Dunedin,[10] also in 1872.[11] It was named Palmerston.[12] Horses had replaced Palmerston by 1874,[13] but, in 1875, after iron had replaced wooden rails, the same branch had an A class steam locomotive built in Wellington by E.W. Mills' Lion Foundry.[14]
Steam locomotives were originally categorised with just a single letter, such as the "F class". When a new class was built as an enhancement of an old class, the old class's letter was re-used, followed by a superscript upper-case letter. For example, the 1906 A class was followed by the AA and AB classes.
Diesel-electric and electric locomotive classifications originally consisted of an upper-case D or E respectively followed by a second and sometimes a third (sub-class) letter. The second and third letters are sometimes represented as smaller-sized upper case (for example, as seen on many locomotive cab-side number plates).
New classes were not always given the classification that alphabetically followed that of the previous class that had most recently been acquired. For example, the DJ class was followed by the DX class followed by the DF class. If an entire class had been withdrawn from service and the classification no longer in use, it was sometimes re-used; for example, two A classes exist, one from 1873 and one from 1906.
Following the introduction of the computer-based Traffic Monitoring System (TMS) and consequent renumbering, classes were identified by the two upper-case letters with the first letter remaining D or E respectively and sub-classes being indicated by a third upper-case letter, such as DAA (DA modified for hump shunting), DAR (DA with rebuilt superstructure), DFT (DF with turbo-conversion), DXR (rebuilt DX) and so on. Most diesel shunting locomotives have a three-letter classification with DS as the first two letters, following on from the original diesel-hydraulic shunting class that was known simply as the DS class.
For electric locomotives the second letter generally referred to where the locomotive was based, such as EC in Christchurch, EO in Otira and EW in Wellington. The EM class in Wellington stands for Electric Motor and the ET stands for Electric Trailer. The DM class units were an exception to this.
Most railcars were classified RM (Rail Motor), and individual classes were known by alternate names such as the Vulcan railcars of the South Island and the Wairarapa railcars that ran over the Rimutaka Incline.
Image | Class | Numbers | Number in class | Year(s) introduced | Year(s) withdrawn | Power output | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TMS (1979) | pre-1979 | TMS (1979) | pre-1979 | ||||||
DA | DA | 86–996 | 1400 – 1545 | 146 | 1955–1967 | 1974 – 1989 | 1060kW | The largest locomotive number class in New Zealand, 85 were rebuilt as the DC class, five as DAA class and one as DAR class. | |
DB | DB | 1001–1180 | 1000 – 1016 | 17 | 1965–1966 | 1980 – 1989 | 705kW | Ten were rebuilt as the DBR class. | |
DBR | 1199–1295 | 10 | 1980–1982 | 2002 – 2017 | 705kW | Rebuilt DB with a new cab, lower hood and new engine. | |||
DC | DC | 4006–4951 | 1551 – 1599 | 85 | 1978–1983 | 1992 – present | 1100kW 1230kW | Rebuilt DA with a new cab and low hood and appears in two engine types, one with 12-645C engines and the other with 12-645E engines. | |
4277–4945 | 17 | 2002–2009 | 2015–present | 1230kW | DC subclass originally built for passenger services, but now used for other uses. | ||||
100px | DF (1954) | 1500 – 1510 (1954) 1300 – 1309 (1960) | 10 | 1954 | 1972–1975 | 1120kW | NZs first mainline diesel locomotive. | ||
DF | DF (1979) | 6006–6317 | 1651 – 1670 | 30 | 1979–1981 | All rebuilt to DFTs | 1230kW | ||
DFB | 7010–7348 | 21 | 2006–present | Still in use | 1800kW | Upgraded DFT class locomotive ('B' for Brightstar) | |||
DFM | 7036–7226 | 3 | All reclassified as DFT internally | 1800kW | Upgraded DFT class locomotive ('M' for Maxitrax). | ||||
DFT | 7008–7348 | 30 | 1992–1997 | 2011–present | 1800kW | Rebuilt DF, with 21 later converted to DFBs ('T' for turbocharged). | |||
DG | DG | 2007–2468 | 750 – 791 | 42 | 1955–1956 | 1983 | 560kW | 11 were rebuilt from the 1956 DH class. | |
DH (1956) | 766, 772, 777 – 783 | 11 | 1956 | 1968 | 560kW | All were later reclassified as DGs | |||
DI | DI | 1808–1843 | 1100 – 1104 | 5 | 1966 | 1988–1989 | 755kW | ||
DJ | DJ | 3009–3689 | 1200 – 1263 | 64 | 1968–1969 | 1986 – 1991 | 672kW | Five in service with Dunedin Railways | |
DL | 9008–9688 | 63 | 2010–2018 | Still in use | 2700kW | ||||
DM | 57 | Under order from Stadler Rail | |||||||
DQ | 6007 -6036, 6324 – 6416 | 15 | 1996–1998 | 1998 – 2013 | 1120kW | Rebuilt QR class; originally from Queensland Railways. | |||
DX | DX | 5016–5520 | 2600 – 2648 | 48 | 1972–1975 | All Rebuilt as DXC & DXB | 2050kW | Two rebuilt as DXR. | |
DXB | 5016 – 5166, 5448 | 14 | still in use | 2050kW | Upgraded DX class ('B' for Brightstar). | ||||
DXC | 5172 – 5520 5039 | 32 | still in use | 2050kW | DX class upgraded for the Midland Line coal trains ('C' for chute). | ||||
DXH | 0 | All rebuilt as DXB and DXC | 2050kW2400kW | Upgraded from DX | |||||
DXR | 8007, 8022 | 2 | 1993, 2006 | still in use | 2420kW | Rebuilt From DX | |||
QR | 2027 – 2102, 3032 | 25 | 1997 | 1999 | 1120kW | Originally from Queensland Railways; 15 rebuilt as the DQ class. | |||
Image | Class | Numbers | Number in class | Year(s) introduced | Year(s) withdrawn | Power output | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | ||||||
DAA | DAA | 11–63 | 1400 – 1404, 1406 | 5 | 1971 | 1989 | 1060kW | DA class refitted for low speed running for heavy shunting at Te Rapa. | |
DAR | 517 | 1 | 1989 | 2008 | 1060kW | DA class modified for shunting at Tasman Pulp and Paper. | |||
DE | DE | 1308–1458 | 501 – 515 | 15 | 1952 | 1984–1989 | 490kW | ||
DH | DH | 2816–2868 | 900 – 905 | 6 | 1978 | Still in use | 672kW | ||
DS | DS | 200–215 | 16 | 1949–1955 | 1978–1984 | ||||
DSA | DSA | 1953–1967 | |||||||
DSB | DSB | 1003–1290 | 300–327 | 28 | 1954–1967 | 1978–1988 | |||
DSC | DSC | 2000–2759 | 400 – 469 | 70 | 1959–1967 | 1989–present | 315kW | ||
DSG | 3005–3304 | 24 | 1981–1983 | still in use | 700kW | Shunting locomotive. | |||
DSJ | 4004–4060 | 5 | 1984–1985 | still in use | 350kW | ||||
TR | TR | 90 | 1924–1978 | Six distinct build models of various power, wheel set and body. | |||||
EB | 1809, 1815, 1821 | 3 | 1976–1980 | 23kW | Used for internal workshop movements. Rebuilt in 1953 from the EB Battery-electric loco. | ||||
Image | Class | Numbers | Number in class | Year(s) introduced | Year(s) withdrawn | Voltage | Power output | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | ||||||||
EO | EA | 39–74 | 1 – 5 | 5 | 1968, 2008 | 1997, 2011 | 1500 V DC overhead | 960kW | Originally classified EA, 1980 reclassified as EO. Used Otira-Arthurs Pass section, three returned to Wellington suburban service in 2008. Final withdrawal 2011. | ||
EC | 7–12 | 6 | 1928–1929 | 1970 | 1500 V DC overhead | 885kW | Used on Christchurch-Lyttelton line. | ||||
100px | ED | ED | 15, 21 | 101–110 | 10 | 1938 | 1969–1981 | 1500 V DC overhead | 670kW | Used on Wellington suburban network. | |
EF | 30007–30249 | 22 | 1986–1988 | 1991–present | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead | 3000kW | Originally Class 30, reclassified as EF class.Used on the NIMT between Palmerston North and Hamilton. | ||||
EO | 2–6 | 5 | 1923 | 1968 | 1500 V DC overhead | 510kW | Used on Otira-Arthurs Pass section. Replaced by EA class (later reclassified as EO). | ||||
EW | EW | 107–171 | 1800 – 1806 | 7 | 1952 | 1988 | 1500 V DC overhead | 1340kW | Used on Wellington suburban network. |
Image | Class | Numbers | Number in class | Year(s) introduced | Year(s) withdrawn | Power output | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | TMS (1980) | pre-1980 | ||||||
E | 1 | 1923 | 1930 | 131kW | Used for maintenance in the Otira Tunnel. | ||||
EB | 25–29 | 5 | 1925–1929 | 1976–1980 | 23kW | Used for internal workshop movements. Rebuilt in 1953 to diesel electric power. | |||
Wellington electric multiple units operate on 1500 V DC overhead. Auckland's electric multiple units run on 25 kV AC overhead.
Image | Class | Number in class | Location | In service | Formation | Passenger capacity | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DM/D | 49 | Wellington | 1938–2012 | D – DM (two-car) D – DM – D (three-car) | 132 (two-car) 204 (three-car) | 6 sets preserved in museum or private use. | ||
EM/ET | 44 | Wellington | 1982–2016 | EM – ET | 148 | One refurbished set preserved at Canterbury Railway Society; one Tranz Metro Blue set preserved by Wellington Heritage Multiple Unit Trust | ||
FP/FT | 83 | Wellington | 2010–present | FP – FT | 147 | Named Matangi, after the Māori word for "wind". | ||
AM | 72 | Auckland | 2014–present | AMP – AMT – AMA | 230 |
Livery: The first railcars were painted "carnation red" with a white or yellow stripe. The Silver Fern railcars appeared in stainless steel.
All railcars, unless otherwise stated, are designated RM class. Here, they are classified under their common names.
Image | Class | Number in class | In service | Power type | Passenger capacity | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
88-seater | 35 | 1955–1978 | Diesel-mechanical | 88 | Alternatively known as Fiats, Eighty-Eights, or Twinset railcars. After withdrawal, 14 were converted to locomotive-hauled AC class articulated carriages known as "Grassgrubs" due to their green colour. | ||
3 | 1972–2019 | Diesel-electric | 96 | Auckland – Wellington service, 1972–1991. Geyserland Express, Kaimai Express and Waikato Connection 1991–2001; used for excursions until 2019. Now withdrawn.[15] | |||
Standard | 6 | 1938–1972 | Diesel-mechanical | 48–52 | Preserved examples exist at Silver Stream Railway (Wellington), Glenbrook Vintage Railway (Auckland) and Pahiatua Railcar Society (near Palmerston North). | ||
9 | 1940–1978 | Diesel-mechanical | 48–50 | Examples are preserved at Ferrymead Railway, Christchurch (3 of) and Plains Railway, Ashburton (1 of). | |||
Wairarapa | 7 | 1936–1956 | Diesel-mechanical | 25–49 | The remaining example is currently being restored by Pahiatua Railcar Society (near Palmerston North). |
Experimental railcars included the following:
Image | Class | Number in class | In service | Power type | Passenger capacity | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MccEwan-Pratt petrol railcar | 1 | 1912–1913 | Petrol | 12 | Never in revenue service. Not preserved. | ||
Clayton steam railcar | 1 | 1926–1937 | Coal | Originally worked the Kurow branch, and later in Otago and Southland. Not preserved. | |||
Edison battery-electric railcar | 1 | 1926–1934 | Electric (battery) | 60 seated, 70 total. | Used on Little River branch. Destroyed by fire. | ||
Sentinel-Cammell steam railcar | 1 | 1925–1931 | Coal | 48 | Used on Melling and then Thames branches. Not preserved. | ||
Leyland experimental petrol railcar | 1 | 1925 | Petrol | Never entered revenue service. | |||
Model T Ford railcar | 2 | 1925–1931 | Petrol | 11 plus driver | Operated on Greytown branch and in Southland. A replica operates on the Pleasant Point Railway, near Timaru. | ||
Leyland diesel railbus | 2 | 1936–1942 | Diesel | 19 or 8 plus 1 ton of newspapers. | Served on Midland Line and the west coast. None preserved. |
Image | Class | Number in class | In service | Formation | Passenger capacity | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADK/ADB | 9 | 1993–2014 | ADK – ADB | 134 | Ex Transperth, used on Auckland suburban network. None preserved. | ||
ADL/ADC | 10 | 1993–2022 | ADL – ADC | 128 | Ex Transperth, used on Auckland suburban network. |
Livery: New Zealand steam locomotives after the late 1920s were mainly completely black with red buffer beams at each end. Earlier steam locomotives were more varied in colour with polished brasswork and a contrasting lining on the cab sides and side tanks, for example the green of the F class Peveril.
Image | Class | Numbers | Number in class | Year(s) introduced | Year(s) withdrawn | Whyte notation | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A of 1873 | 14 | 1873 | 1905 | |||||
A of 1906 | 58 | 1906 | 1969 | Includes 30 locomotives reclassified from AD | ||||
AA | 10 | 1914 | 1957 | Improved Q Class design | ||||
AB | 141 | 1915 | 1969 | New Zealand's most prolific steam locomotive; ten were rebuilt from WAB class. Preserved examples at Pleasant Point Railway (near Timaru), Steam Incorporated Paekakariki, Mainline Steam Heritage trust, Kingston Flyer (near Queenstown), Glenbrook/Motat (Auckland). | ||||
AD | 30 | 1910 | 1916 | Reclassified A in 1916. | ||||
2 | 1874 | 1890 | Double Fairlie | |||||
B of 1899 | 10 | 1899 | 1967 | Three rebuilt as WE class | ||||
BA | 10 | 1911 | 1969 | |||||
BB | 30 | 1915 | 1968 | |||||
BC | 1 | 1902 | 1927 | Originally from the Wellington and Manawatu Railway, which was nationalised in 1908. | ||||
C of 1873 | 16 | 1873 | 1920 | original rebuild | ||||
C of 1930 | 24 | 1930 | 1968 | Built for heavy shunting at major yards, one preserved at Silverstream Railway (Wellington) and one at Ferrymead Railway (Christchurch). | ||||
D of 1874 | 35 | 1874 | 1927 | A low powered locomotive, with many finding a second life as industrial locomotives or with the Public Works dept. Seven have survived, with operational examples at the Pleasant Point Railway (near Timaru) and Ferrymead (Christchurch). Static examples are at Silverstream Railway (Wellington) and Ocean Beach Railway (Dunedin). | ||||
E of 1872 | 8 | 1872 | 1906 | Double Fairlie | A double fairlie, originally used only in the South Island, but one was used by the Public Works Dept. in the North Island. An static example of the E Class is preserved at the Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin. | |||
E of 1906 | 1 | 1906 | 1917 | Mallet | ||||
F | 88 | 1872 | 1964 | Ubiquitous and long-serving, nine examples of this class are preserved. Used in all roles, including mainline use and shunting. | ||||
13 | 1892 | 1943 | ||||||
13 | 1897 | 1943 | ||||||
G of 1874 | 4 | 1874 | 1918 | |||||
G of 1928 | 3 | 1928 | 1937 | Garratt | The only Garrett-type locomotive in NZ, they were not a success. All rebuilt as Pacifics, and became the G class of 1937. None preserved. | |||
G of 1937 | 6 | 1937 | 1956 | Rebuilt from the unsuccessful Garrett G class of 1928. None preserved. | ||||
H | 199–204 | 6 | 1878 | 1955 | Fell | Built to work the Rimutaka Incline, H 199 is the only remaining Fell locomotive in the world and is preserved in the Fell Locomotive Museum at Featherston, just north of Wellington. | ||
J of 1874 | 32 | 1874 | 1935 | First locomotive class in NZ with a tender. | ||||
J of 1939 | 1200–1239 | 40 | 1939 | 1971 | A powerful, yet lighter locomotive than the K class. Coal burning and initially streamlined, 12 members of the class were rebuilt as JB class, being oil burners. Two operating examples remain, one at Mainline Steam and the other at Steam Incorporated. | |||
JA | 1240–1290 | 51 | 1946–1956 | 1964 – 1971 | 1240 to 1274 were used exclusively in the South Island, and were coal burners. The second batch of 16 were oil burners, built by North British Locomotive Works. These were numbered 1275 to 1290 and were used in the North Island. The class includes JA 1274 – the last NZR steam locomotive built. Seven preserved, including at Mainline Steam, Plains railway (Ashburton), Steam Incorporated, Glenbrook Vintage Railway (Auckland) and a static exhibit in Dunedin. | |||
JB | 12 | 12 locomotives were rebuilt from the 1939 J class as oil burners. | ||||||
K of 1877 | 8 | 1877 | 1927 | Originally used solely in the South Island, including on the famous Kingston Flyer, they later received minor use in the North Island. | ||||
K of 1932 | 900–929 | 30 | 1932 | 1967 | ||||
KA | 930–964 | 35 | 1939–1950 | 1964 – 1967 | A modified version of the K class, with roller bearings and ACFI feedwater heaters. | |||
KB | 965–970 | 6 | 1939 | 1968 | A coal burning locomotive that was a KA class fitted with trailing-wheel boosters. Used solely in the South Island, almost exclusively on the midland line between Springfield and Arthur's Pass. A non-operating example is preserved at Mainline Steam, Christchurch. | |||
L | 10 | 1877 | 1901–1939 | | ||||
LA | 5 | 1887–1892 | 1920 – 1928 | Originally from the New Zealand Midland Railway, which was nationalised in 1900. | ||||
M | 4 | 1875 | 1919–1928 | | ||||
N | 12 | 1885 | 1934 | Two originally from the Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | ||||
NA | 2 | 1894 | 1929 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | ||||
NC | 2 | 1902 | 1931 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | ||||
O | 6 | 1885 | 1922 | |||||
OA | 1 | 1894 | 1929 | 2-8-0 | Originally from Wellington & Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | |||
OB | 2 | 1888 | 1931 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | ||||
1 | 1896 | 1930 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908). | |||||
P of 1876 | 2 | 1876 | 1885 | |||||
P of 1885 | 10 | 1885 | 1930 | |||||
Q of 1878 | 2 | 1878 | 1898 | |||||
13 | 1901 | 1957 | The world's first class of 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive. | |||||
R | 18 | 1878 | 1936 | Single Fairlie | A Single Fairlie locomotive, designed for the tight curves and steep grades characteristic of rail in NZ at that time. Used in all roles from mainline passenger down to shunting and Public Works, private industrial and tramway use. A static example has been preserved at Reefton, on the west coast of the South Island. | |||
7 | 1880 | 1927 | Single Fairlie | |||||
T | 6 | 1879 | 1928 | |||||
U | 9 | 1894 | 1959 | |||||
UA | 6 | 1899 | 1937 | |||||
UB | 22 | 1901 | 1957 | |||||
UC | 10 | 1901 | 1959 | |||||
UD | 2 | 1904 | 1931 | Originally from the Wellington & Manawatu Railway, which was nationalised in 1908. | ||||
V | 13 | 1885 | 1937 | Three originally from the Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908) | ||||
W | 192, 238 | 2 | 1889 | 1959 | Tank locomotive, W 192, which was the first NZR locomotive built in New Zealand, is preserved and operational at Ferrymead Railway, Christchurch. | |||
WA | 11 | 1892 | 1962 | Tank locomotive, 11 built new; four rebuilt from J class 1874. WA165 is believed to be the only locomotive of this class still existing. It is owned and operated by the Gisborne City Vintage Railway. | ||||
30 | 1918–1927 | 1947 – 1969 | 14 rebuilt from WS class; 10 rebuilt as AB class | |||||
WB | 12 | 1898 | 1957 | |||||
WD | 18 | 1901 | 1936 | |||||
WE | 3 | 1902 | 1969 | Rebuilt from B of 1899; equipped with Fell centre rail braking for use on the Rimutaka Incline and Rewanui Incline. | ||||
WF | 41 | 1904 | 1969 | |||||
WG | 20 | 1910 | 1964 | 14 later rebuilt as WW class. | ||||
WH | 3 | 1884 | 1927 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908) | ||||
WJ | 1 | 1904 | 1928 | Originally from Wellington and Manawatu Railway (nationalised 1908) | ||||
14 | 1917 | 1936 | All rebuilt as WAB class | |||||
WW | 51 | 1913 | 1969 | 14 rebuilt from WG class | ||||
18 | 1909 | 1957 | The world's first 4-8-2 Mountain locomotive | |||||
Y | 3 | 1923 | 1958 |
Steam locomotive notes:
A number of industrial locomotives were used by various operators connecting to the national rail network:
Similar to the NZR DS class:
In 1999, Tranz Rail purchased the line between Awakeri and the mill and took over shunting operations with DBR and DSC class diesel locomotives. The two Drewrys were then onsold to Forest Loaders, a subcontractor working for Tranz Rail in the Portland area, loading log wagons at Portland. Both locomotives were renumbered by Forest Loaders as FL 106 and FL 107 respectively. Both are now preserved by the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway.
Similar to the NZR DSA class:
Similar to the NZR DSB class:
Two 0-6-0 locomotives were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for industrial service for the Ohai Railway Board in 1967.
A further three 0-6-0DM locomotives were built by W. G. Bagnall for industrial service in New Zealand. The first, Bagnall 3079 of 1954, was delivered to Tasman Pulp & Paper for use at their Kinleith paper plant in the Bay of Plenty. The other two, maker's nos. 3132 and 3144 of 1958, were delivered to Wilsons Portland Cement for use on their private quarry railway at Portland, just south of Whangarei. All three were exactly the same as the ten NZR locomotives which were built to the same pattern as Bagnall 3079. They were initially equipped with National M4AA6 diesel engines producing 240hp.
All three were later re-powered by A & G Price at their Thames workshops; Bagnall 3079 with a 315hp Caterpillar D343T diesel engine and Twin Disc torque converter, while the two Portland locomotives, numbered WPC 10 (3132) and WPC 11 (3144) received 204hp Gardner 8L3 diesel engines which were used in the DS and Drewry DSA class locomotives. Bagnall 3079 was also later fitted with extra ballast weight to increase its power output