| New Zealand RM class Silver Fern | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:RM_24_on_rugby_special_train.jpg) Silver Fern railcar RM24 near Papakura in September 2011 | |
| In service | 1972–2019 |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Built at | Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan |
| Constructed | 1972 |
| Entered service | 1972 |
| Number built | 3 |
| Fleet numbers | RM 1, 2, 3 (original) RM18, 24, 30 (TMS)[1] |
| Capacity | 96 |
| Operators | New Zealand Railways Department (1972–1982) New Zealand Railways Corporation (1982–1990) New Zealand Rail Limited (1990–1995) Tranz Rail (1995–2002) Auckland Regional Transport Authority (2002–2009) |
| Lines served | North Island Main Trunk Palmerston North - Gisborne Line East Coast Main Trunk Rotorua Branch |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 47.4 metres (155 ft 6 in) total[1] |
| Car length | 22.86 metres (75 ft 0 in)[2] |
| Width | 2.74 metres (9 ft 0 in)[2] |
| Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph)[1] |
| Weight | 107 tonnes (105 long tons; 118 short tons) |
| Prime mover(s) | Caterpillar D398TA |
| Power output | 670 kW (900 hp) |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
The NZR RM class Silver Fern was a class of rail motor in New Zealand. The three air-conditioned and sound-proofed 723-kW[1] 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by Kawasaki under contract with Nissho Iwai of Japan.[3] New Zealand Railways (NZR) classified the railcars as RM (Rail Motor),[nb 1] the same as other railcars, using the Silver Ferns (a national symbol of New Zealand) because of their exterior was made of corrugated stainless steel, like the premier night sleeper train that also ran on the Wellington-Auckland (North Island Main Trunk) route, the Silver Star.[5] The Silver Ferns replaced the three successful Blue Streak railcars on the service.[6][7]
- ^ a b c d McClare 1980, p. 26.
- ^ a b Pierre 1981, p. 170.
- ^ KiwiRail 2011, p. 55.
- ^ Brett & van der Weerden 2021, p. 170.
- ^ Brett & van der Weerden 2021, p. 209.
- ^ "Japanese-built Railcars to be named by NZR". Railway Transportation: 8. March 1972.
- ^ Brett & van der Weerden 2021, p. 208.
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