The first Stadler locomotive has started operating in New Zealand, marking a new milestone in KiwiRail’s fleet renewal and boosting the efficiency of transport operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The first Stadler locomotive has started operating in New Zealand, marking a new milestone in KiwiRail’s fleet renewal and boosting the efficiency of transport operations
Photo: geoffmackley/youtube

A new chapter of collaboration with Stadler

Since late July, the six-axle DM-class locomotive has been running on the Christchurch–Timaru route. During the first months of service, it is expected to cover at least 5,000 kilometers to validate system reliability.

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The contract for the delivery of 57 locomotives was signed in 2021. The first two units arrived from Stadler’s Valencia plant last year, and now a third locomotive has joined the fleet and is already in service.

Each locomotive is equipped with two driver’s cabins, ensuring convenient control on lines with a 1,067 mm gauge. It reaches a maximum speed of 100 km/h and delivers a starting tractive effort of 415 kN.

Stadler introduces innovation for KiwiRail

The Caterpillar power unit, with a capacity of 3 MW, complies with the Stage V environmental standard. Modern drives with IGBT inverters ensure stable performance and help optimize energy consumption.

To reduce fuel costs, the locomotives feature a start-stop system, while an advanced monitoring and predictive analytics system tracks the condition of components in real time.

Seven months of testing on the KiwiRail network confirmed the locomotives’ reliability. The operator highlighted that the upgraded rolling stock speeds up operations and reduces operating expenses.

Experts emphasize that Stadler’s deliveries lay the foundation for further modernization of New Zealand’s narrow-gauge infrastructure. Increased speed and reliability of freight operations will allow KiwiRail to expand transport volumes and deliver better service to its customers.

What is Stadler?

Stadler is an international manufacturer of railway rolling stock, known for advanced technology and high-quality locomotives.

When were the Stadler locomotives tested in New Zealand?

The Stadler locomotives underwent seven months of testing before entering trial service in July this year.

How does the monitoring system in Stadler locomotives work?

The system collects real-time data on component conditions and analyzes it to predict faults and schedule maintenance efficiently.

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