- NZR DB class
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NZR DB/DBR class 
DBR1199 at Westfield Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Diesel Canada (builder)
Clyde Engineering, Australia (rebuilder)Model EMD G8 Build date 1965–1966 (built)
1980–82 (rebuilt)UIC classification A1A-A1A Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge Length 14.0 m (45.9 ft) Weight on drivers DB 47.0 t (46.3 long tons; 51.8 short tons)
DBR 46.0 t (45.3 long tons; 50.7 short tons)Locomotive weight DB 69.0 t (67.9 long tons; 76.1 short tons)
DBR 68.0 t (66.9 long tons; 75.0 short tons)Prime mover DB GM 8-567C
DBR GM 8-645CAspiration Roots type supercharger Displacement DB 74.33 litres (4,536 cu in)
DBR 84.56 litres (5,160 cu in)Traction motors Four EMD D29 Top speed 90 km/h (56 mph) Power output DB 705 kW (945 hp)
DBR 820 kW (1,100 hp)Tractive effort 117 kN (26,000 lbf) Number in class 17 Number Db 1000–1016 (original)
DB 1001–1180 (TMS)
DBR 1199–1295First run DB 1965–1966
DBR 1980–1982Last run DB 1986-1989 Disposition 10 rebuilt as DBR (8 in service)
9 scrapped (7 DB and 2 DBR)The NZR Db diesel-electric locomotive class was built in 1965-1966. They were a lighter version of the Da class to operate on secondary North Island lines from which the Da was excluded due to its weight. One of the principal lines which the Db dominated was the East Coast Main Trunk to Tauranga via Paeroa, until the Kaimai Tunnel was opened in 1978. The Db class was built by General Motors Diesel (GMD) of Canada, had a wheel arrangement of A1A-A1A under the UIC classification system, had a EMD 567 2-cycle V8 engine generating 705 kW (950 hp), and could travel at speeds up to 90 km/h. Seventeen Db locomotives were built. Between 1980 and 1982, ten were rebuilt by Clyde Engineering as the DBR class.
Contents
DBR class
DBR1254 at Westfield
The reconstruction improved visibility for the driver and had an upgraded EMD 8-645 engine, prolonging their lives. Withdrawal of the unconverted DB locomotives began in 1986 while eight of the DBRs continue to operate as of August 2010. The DB class rarely ventured to the South Island, only for servicing and overhauls, but with the phasing out of the DJ class some DBRs were relocated to the South Island. By 2009 none of the class remained in South Island service. Of the eight DBRs in service, two are based in Wellington and six in Auckland. The first DBR to enter service was initially painted in the "Fruit Salad" livery as DB1076, and was later reclassified and renumbered DBR1199.
Banking duties
1200 and 1267 are mainly used to bank freight trains over the steep gradients of the NIMT Pukerua Bay section between Wellington and Paekakariki. As the two locomotives were usually seen operating in multiple and were both in the 'Fruit Salad' livery (until DBR1267 was repainted in KiwiRail livery in August 2011), they have been nicknamed "The Twins" by railfans.
Suburban Services
Since 2006, DBRs 1199 and 1254, in MAXX blue livery, have been used by Veolia in Auckland on each end of the five-car SX suburban set. DBR1226, a back-up locomotive, is painted in MAXX blue but lacks a MAXX logo. 1226 is normally used for freight services or work trains by KiwiRail, but it is used to replace either 1199 or 1254 when either breaks down, since it has the necessary modifications to work with the suburban carriages. If 1226 is unavailable a DC locomotive is used instead.
Class register
Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul Scrapped Original no. TMS no. Introduced Withdrawn Rebuilt to Current livery[1] Status Allocated to Notes Db 1000 DB1018 June 1965 February 1989 Scrapped. Db 1001 DB1001 May 1965 DBR1213 International Orange In service North Island Db 1002 DB1024 June 1965 May 1982 Scrapped. Db 1003 DB1030 June 1965 DBR1239 Scrapped. Db 1004 DB1047 May 1965 April 1988 Scrapped. Db 1005 DB1053 October 1965 DBR1254 MAXX Blue In service North Island Auckland suburban services. Db 1006 DB1076 September 1965 DBR1199 MAXX Blue In service North Island Auckland suburban services. Db 1007 DB1082 October 1965 February 1989 Scrapped. Db 1008 DB1099 October 1965 February 1989 Scrapped. Db 1009 DB1116 October 1965 DBR1267 KiwiRail In service North Island First DBR to receive KiwiRail livery. Db 1010 DB1122 December 1965 DBR1226 MAXX Blue In service North Island Back-up locomotive, freight service. Db 1011 DB1139 December 1965 DBR1241 Scrapped. Db 1012 DB1145 December 1965 May 1986 Scrapped. Db 1013 DB1151 December 1965 DBR1295 Toll Rail ("Corn Cob") In service North Island Db 1014 DB1168 January 1966 DBR1200 International Orange In service North Island Db 1015 DB1174 January 1966 DBR1282 International Orange In service North Island Db 1016 DB1180 February 1966 February 1989 Scrapped. References
- "NZR Locomotives and Railcars 1983". T A McGavin. New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society : Wellington, New Zealand : 1983.
- "New Zealand Railway Diesels". E J McClare. Southern Press : Wellington, New Zealand.
- ^ "New Zealand RailTrack". http://www.quicktrip.co.nz/rails/railtrack.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
Categories:- Locomotives of New Zealand
- A1A-A1A locomotives
- GMD locomotives
- Cape gauge railway locomotives
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