TasRail DC class

The DC class was a class of diesel locomotives in New Zealand and Tasmania. Originally built by General Motors Canada and Clyde Engineering between 1955 and 1967 as New Zealand Government Railways DA class locomotive. Eighty-five DAs were rebuilt as the DC class locomotive. Tranz Rail, a successor of the NZGR, sold DC 4588 to AN Tasrail. It has since been scrapped.

DC class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Motors Canada
ModelElectro Motive Diesel G22AR
Build date1964
RebuilderClyde Engineering
Rebuild date1980
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICA1A-A1A
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Wheel diameter1.25 metres (4 ft 1 in)
Length14.10 metres (46 ft 3 in)
Width2.72 metres (8 ft 11 in)
Height3.76 metres (12 ft 4 in)
Axle load18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Adhesive weight60.0 tonnes (59.1 long tons; 66.1 short tons)
Loco weight82.0 tonnes (80.7 long tons; 90.4 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverElectro Motive Diesel 645C
RPM range900 rpm
Engine typeV12 Diesel engine
AspirationNormally aspirated (Roots blower)
GeneratorElectro Motive Diesel D32
Traction motorsElectro Motive Diesel 548
Cylinders12
Loco brakeHand brakes/Westinghouse 26L air brake/Dynamic
Train brakesWestinghouse 26L air brake
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output1,062 kW (1,424 hp)
Tractive effort140 kN (31,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsNew Zealand Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Corporation
Tranz Rail
AN Tasrail
Number in class1
Numbers4588
Delivered15 December 1998
First runFebruary 1999
Last runOctober 2002
RetiredOctober 2002
WithdrawnOctober 2002
DispositionScrapped

Introduction and service

Due to a locomotive shortage due to the planned replacement of AN Tasrails English Electric locomotive fleet, Tranz Rail shipped DC 4588 to Tasmania on a one-year lease. The locomotive left Wellington on 8 December 1998 on the Arktis Dream, and arrived in Bell Bay, Tasmania on 15 December 1998. The locomotives were later sold to Tasrail.[1] Due to the DC being in a non standard nature, low tractive effort and having a small fuel capacity,[2] the loco was restricted to the Bell Bay Line, until Easter 1999 where it has since ventured out on the Western and Melba Lines,[3] while still operating in Tranz Rails Cato Blue livery, but with the "Tranz Rail" lettering replaced with "Tasrail" lettering.[4]

Withdrawal and disposal

DC 4588 was placed into storage in October 2002 after suffering an engine problem.[5] Rebuilding commenced on the locomotive in 2005 at East Tamar Workshops.[6] The rebuilding included lowering the short-hood, replacing the big front cab window with two smaller ones, and a front cab door on the non-assistants side.[7] By 2008, the rebuilding had stopped and was again placed into long-term storage,[8] until being scrapped in 2011.[9]

Class register
Key: In Service Under overhaul/repair Withdrawn/Out of service Preserved Shipped Scrapped
Number Entered Service Withdrawn Status Notes
4588 February 1999 October 2002 Scrapped Scrapped at East Tamar Workshops.

See also

References
  1. "Railfan". Vol. 5, no. 2. Triple M Publications. March 1999. ISSN 1173-2229.
  2. "DC Class". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  3. "Railfan". Vol. 5, no. 3. Triple M Publications. June 1999. ISSN 1173-2229.
  4. "DC Class". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  5. "DC Class". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  6. "DC4588 under overhaul at East Tamar workshops, August 2005". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  7. "4588 undergoing a rebuild at the East Tamar workshops". Flickr. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  8. "Its rebuild stopped part way through, ex New Zealand loco DC4588 remains stored at East Tamar workshops". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  9. "DC Class". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
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