the NZR Di class

Two DIs with the stone train (see earlier post) with Wickliffe Street, Dunedin, in the background. (Ken Devlin)

This was a small 5-member Co-Co type diesel-electric class built by English Electric Australia, very similar to the Queensland Rail 1620 class. The prime mover was an English Electric 6CSRKT with a 755 kW (1012 hp) output. At the time of their introduction in 1966, they were seen as an alternative to the DB class (see earlier post) for use on secondary and branch lines, however, this role was given to the DJ class in 1968 (see earlier post) and no more of the either the DI or DB were acquired.

Three members of the class originally operated in the South Island, mainly between Christchurch and Picton, while the other two members started life in the North Island. In 1969, all members were transferred to work in the Bay of Plenty area on the lightly laid track there. After the Kaimai Tunnel opened in 1978, all five members were transferred to the South Island for service in the Dunedin area.
They remained there until the mid-1980s, when they went north to Wellington and Napier, mainly for shunting duties.

In 1988 three of the class were written off following mishaps, one in a level crossing crash in Otaki (see the book Danger Ahead: New Zealand railway accidents in the modern era for details). The remaining two were withdrawn by 1989.

One, 1102 (1820), has been preserved at the Ferrymead museum in Christchurch.