The Clock is Ticking

DFB7239 and EFI DXC5212 lead 920 Dunedin to Middleton Freight through the old Bushey station site. 11/10/22.

Late last year KiwiRail signed an agreement with Swiss locomotive manufacturer Stadler for 57 mainline low emission diesel locomotives. These locomotives are expected to enter service between early 2024 and 2026.

With the introduction of the new DM class locomotives, the current fleet of DC's, DFT's and DX's will be withdrawn from service. While I understand the economics and the need for improvements in reliability, power and emissions in KiwiRail's South Island locomotive fleet, it'll be sad to see the older diesel locomotives disappear. They've given between 40 and almost 70 years of good service on New Zealand's railways and have been with me since I started railfanning in the mid 1990's.

With only a few years of service left, if you want to get some shots of good ole 1970's GE and EMD motive power now is the time to start. The clock is ticking.