The DL Class locomotive was introduced by KiwiRail in 2010. They

The DL Class locomotive was introduced by KiwiRail
in 2010. They were the first addition to the freight
fleet since the 1980s.
The order of 20 new locomotives was confirmed in
2009 and the first six arrived in November 2010.
The remaining 14 are due in early 2011.
The locomotives will be deployed around the North
Island, including the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga
‘golden triangle’ freight route, Bay of Plenty forestry
routes and the southern North Island ‘milk route’.
The locomotives have been built by the Dalian
Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd, which is part
of the CNR Group, at a cost of approximately
$NZ75 million.
These locomotives and subsequent additions to the
fleet will play a critical role in KiwiRail’s Turn Around
Plan - the 10-year programme to create a
sustainable rail business that can stand on its own
feet financially.
DL Commissioning 1
Existing Fleet
KiwiRail
currently
owns 149
mainline
locomotives,
and much of
its diesel
fleet now considered underpowered and
outmoded by today’s standards.
The newest locomotives, and most powerful at
4000 hp are 17 EF locomotives built for the
electrified section of the North Island Main
Trunk in 1988.
The newest diesel locomotives are the DX class
which average 3000hp, were purchased
between 1972 and 1976.
The oldest are the DBR and DC classes which
date back to 1965. DC locomotives constitute
approximately one third of the current fleet.
They are 1500 hp.
Locomotive
Manufacturer
Cab Config
Dalian Locomotive and Rolling
Stock, CNR Group, Dalian, China
AC-DC diesel electric
108t
18t axle load
18500mm over drawgear
18120mm over body
Double cab
Engine
Manufacturer
Type
Power
Fuel
Emissions
MTU, Germany
MTU 20V 4000R43
2700kW
Electronic Fuel Injection
Meets EU Stage IIIA standard
Type
Weight
Lenght
Main Alternator
Manufacturer
Type
Traction motor
Manufacturer
Type
Yongji Electric Machine Factory,
China
JF205 Series product
Yongji Electric Machine Factory,
China
ZD126C
Note: Same type as the 120 traction motors
order from Yongji for the DX fleet
Bogie
Manufacturer
Type
Braking system
Manufacturer
Type
DL Commissioning 2
Dalian Locomotive and Rolling
Stock, China
Three axle Co-Co
Wabtec Corporation
Wabtec 26L Pneumatic Air Brake
System
The double-cab DLs have a 2700kW engine with
similar pulling power to the electric locomotives that
are used on the North Island Main Trunk.
The new locomotives are expected to be 5-10%
more fuel efficient when running 1 for 1 replacing the
current fleet, and where they replace 2 existing
locomotives the fuel saving is towards the 30% mark.
Naming of Classes
The DL class name was chosen to reflect the town
where they were built - Dalian in north east China.
The first of the fleet to arrive in New Zealand is
9008 - the number has special significance in
Chinese symbolism with the 9 representing
longevity and the 8 prosperity.
Cab design
KiwiRail locomotive engineers were instrumental in
the design of the cab. Three LEs were chosen to
represent the organisation and worked closely with
the locomotive designers to ensure a set up that met
local needs.