Stadler has signed two more locomotive contracts with KiwiRail, New Zealand‘s national railway operator, for the supply of nine DM Class mainline locomotives for operation on the North Island, and 24 hybrid battery-diesel shunting locomotives.

The mainline locomotives will be fitted with ETCS (European Train Control System), whilst the order for shunting locomotives includes spare parts, specialised tools, and technical support.

Stadler is currently building 57 DM class narrow gauge locomotives for KiwiRail that were ordered in 2021 for use on mainline services on the South Island.

The last ten of this delivery will also be fitted with ETCS, which will enable DM class locomotives to operate on the lines in the Auckland Metro area that is fitted with ETCS Level 1 trackside signalling system.

They will also be able to operate in the Wellington Metro area when that is upgraded to ETCS.

DM locomotives have a low-emission diesel engine with a 3,000 kW output and are complete with the latest European emission standard (Stage V), and are designed for the use with HVO bio-fuels.

They produce 80% less CO2eq emissions (calculated along the entire value chain of the product) and substantially reduced pollutant emissions, while also optimising combustion with lower fuel consumption and fewer greenhouse gases emissions.

The shunting locomotives will have a central cab and a maximum axle load of 16 tonnes, and are specifically designed to operate on all KiwiRail shunting yards.

A safe and resilient remote-control system will enable them to be operated from outside the driving cab within the limits of shunting yards.

An on-board battery module enables the locomotive to primarily operate as a zero-emission vehicle.

They are fitted with an Automatic Engine Start-Stop System (AESS) that minimises fuel consumption, noise, and emissions, and incorporate a remote diagnostic and conditioning monitoring system.

Iñigo Parra, Executive Vice President Stadler Division Spain, expressed his pride in the ongoing collaboration, stating, “Stadler stands at the forefront of green drive technologies globally, offering a diverse range of solutions for our clients. We are very proud that KiwiRail has once again entrusted Stadler with the renewal of its locomotive fleet, and we are delighted to support them on their journey towards a zero-emission rail service.”

KiwiRail Chief Customer and Growth Officer Adele Wilson said the new locomotives were part of a $1.7b investment in rolling stock that would enable KiwiRail to deliver better service to its customers and further enhance the New Zealand freight market’s access to low carbon emission transport. The locomotives will also be deployed on the tourism routes where travellers demand low carbon options.

“New mainline locomotives and shunts mean less maintenance time in the depots and more time on the track reliably serving our customers. We welcome the advantages in up-to-date technology our long-term relationship with Stadler brings, especially to our goal of decarbonisation.”