Stadler and KiwiRail sign a contract for 57 mainline locomotives

 Edited media release from Stadler

This may not be the actual design.

Stadler and KiwiRail have signed a long-term framework agreement with a first call off for the supply of 57 diesel mainline locomotives. The order value is around 228 million Euros. This is the first contract for Stadler in New Zealand. 

KiwiRail is a New Zealand government state-owned enterprise, which is responsible for New Zealand’s national rail network, and operates New Zealand rail freight and between-island ferry services. Under this contract, Stadler will supply a latest state of the art Co-Co monocoque locomotive, cape gauge, customized to KiwiRail requirements. The new locomotives will be used for freight and passenger rail operation predominately in the South Island, with its challenging track topography. 

Following Stadler’s focus on providing sustainable solutions for railway transportation, the locomotives will be compliant with the latest European emission standard (Stage V). This results not only in a substantial reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate emission and in the consequential cost to environment and public health, but also in optimized combustion, lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. 

The two-cab, narrow body locomotives will be equipped with a diesel engine providing an installed diesel power of 3000 kW, that will in many cases allow KiwiRail to operate its trains with less locomotives than in the current services. Each of the two cabs will be designed in close cooperation with KiwiRail and according to the latest European standards aiming to achieve an ergonomic, comfortable and safe working environment for KiwiRail’s engineers. 

KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller said: “The 57 locomotives will replace our South Island fleet, which has an average age of 47 years. Stadler’s high quality, fuel efficient, more powerful locomotives will allow us to improve service reliability to get more freight off New Zealand’s roads and onto rail. The low emission locomotives are also an important step in KiwiRail’s plan to be emission neutral by 2050.” 

Greg Miller added: “It’s a pleasure to work with Stadler. Their professional interactions, quality of engagement and state of the art designs ensure we are partnering with a company that will deliver an outstanding outcome for KiwiRail and New Zealand, and enable our South Island fleet to take advantage of technology advancements well into the future . I’m already looking forward to seeing the first new locomotives heading down our Kaikoura coast in 2024.”