New Zealand DX class locomotive

New Zealand DX class locomotive
DXB 5143, the first locomotive to be painted in the KiwiRail livery
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation, United States
ModelGE U26C
Build date1972–1975[1]
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length16.9 metres (55 ft 5 in)
Width2.74 metres (9 ft 0 in)
Height3.70 metres (12 ft 2 in)
Axle loadDX 16.25 t (15.99 long tons; 17.91 short tons)
DXR 17.5 t (17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons)
Adhesive weightDX 97.5 t (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons)
DXR 105 t (103 long tons; 116 short tons)
Loco weightDX 97.5 t (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons)
DXR 105 t (103 long tons; 116 short tons)
Prime moverGeneral Electric 7FDL-12
RPM range400–1050 rpm
Engine typeV12 Diesel engine
AspirationTurbocharged
AlternatorGeneral Electric GTA-11
Traction motorsSix
Cylinders12
Transmission25/64 gear ratio
Performance figures
Maximum speed105 km/h (65 mph)
Power outputDX/DXB/DXC
2,050 kW (2,750 hp) original
2,240 kW (3,000 hp) uprated[2][3]
DXB/DXC/DXR
2,420 kW (3,250 hp)
Tractive effortDX 259 kN (58,000 lbf) continuous
Career
Number in class49
Numbers2600–2648 (original)
5016–5520 (TMS)
DXR 8007, 8022
Nicknames"Dixies" (DX)
First runDX 1972
DXR 1993
DXC 1997
Disposition44 in service
2 rebuilt as DXR
1 scrapped
1 under overhaul
1 withdrawn[4]

The New Zealand DX class locomotive[nb 1] is a type of diesel-electric locomotive that currently operates on New Zealand's national railway network. There are 49 of the locomotives and all are owned by KiwiRail. They have a Co-Co wheel arrangement.

Built by GE Transportation in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States,[5] they were introduced to New Zealand between 1972 and 1976.[1] The class is based on the General Electric U26C model,[1] a narrow-gauge version of the GE U23C model. The locomotives are regarded as one of the most successful purchases in NZR's history.[6]

The locomotives have seen several upgrades since their introduction and three sub-classes now exist: the DXB, DXC and DXR.

  1. ^ a b c McClare 1980, p. 24.
  2. ^ KiwiRail 2011, p. 21.
  3. ^ Parsons 2002, p. 21.
  4. ^ "Railfan". New Zealand Railfan. 26 (1). Triple M Publications. Summer 2020. ISSN 1173-2229.
  5. ^ Sinclair 1992, p. 9.
  6. ^ Bond 2021, p. 6.


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