The first 6 of an eventual 20 diesel-electric locomotives built for KiwiRail to be classified as DL class - standing for Dalian Locomotive - are reported to be 'on the water' with a provisional arrival date of 18 November.
These are the first wholly new locomotives to be acquired for the country since the EF electrics of the 1980s. Having a Co-Co wheel arrangement (meaning each of the 6 axles has its own traction motor) and a length over drawgear of 18.5 metres, they are, with a prime mover output of 2,700 kW (3,600 hp), the country's most powerful diesels and the first to be built in China (by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock [CNR Group]).
The remaining 14 of the class are expected to arrive in January and all will operate in the North Island. The diagram and the works photo (taken on 29 July) are from the bettertransport.org.nz website.
Update
The first 6 of the class were unloaded at the Port of Tauranga on 20 November and are being tested.
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