NZR DH class

New Zealand DH class (1978)
DH 2868 shunting two DLs at Port of Auckland
Power type	Diesel-Electric Shunter
Builder	General Electric, United States
Model	U10B
Build date	1978
UIC classification	Bo-Bo
Length	11.2 m (37 ft)
Locomotive weight	54 tonnes (53 long tons; 60 short tons)
Prime mover	Caterpillar D398
Engine RPM range	1300 rpm
Generator	General Electric GT-601
Traction motors	Four General Electric 761
Cylinders	V12
Cylinder size	159 mm × 203 mm (6.3 in × 8.0 in)
Top speed	112 km/h (70 mph)
Power output	672 kW (901 hp)
Tractive effort	146 kN (33,000 lbf)
Number in class	6
Number	900 - 905 (original) 2816 - 2868 (TMS)
Locale	Upper North Island, mainly around Auckland
First run	1978
Disposition	All in service

The New Zealand DH class is a type of diesel-electric heavy transfer/shunting locomotive in New Zealand. The class consists of six heavy shunt U10B type loco built by General Electric in the US in 1978. The class are almost all used in the Auckland area for heavy shunting duties, including services to the Port of Auckland.

Originally an order for Philippine National Railways, the six locomotives were purchased as by coincidence NZR needed a heavy shunter for Auckland container port transfer work. At the time two DSC class shunters were linked in tandem to perform this task. The DH class are actually a light locomotive which are geared to run at an 100kph. They were trialed on the then under-used suburban passenger network performing well but NZR focussed them on their intended purpose - heavy shunting. NZR also provided a DH unit to the Tasman Pulp and Paper mill in Kawerau to trial for sale as a heavy shunter in the mill's rail yards. The mill turned down the offer, instead purchasing a DA class locomotive to perform duties.

A popular favorite with railfans due to their scarcity outside Auckland, they have hauled many excursions and have also hauled the Overlander on rare occasions.^{[citation needed]}

Classification

The class should not be confused with the English Electric DH class of 1956; as all of the old DHs had been reallocated DG in 1968, the classification was re-used.

Class register

Key:	In service	Out of service	Auckland Transport service	Preserved	Overhaul	Scrapped

TMS No.	Original No.	Introduced	Current Livery	Status	Allocated to	Notes
DH 2816	900	May 1979	KiwiRail	In service	North Island
DH 2822	901	November 1978	KiwiRail	In Service	North Island
DH 2839	902	December 1978	Toll Rail ("Corn Cob")	In service	North Island
DH 2845	903	September 1978	KiwiRail	In service	North Island
DH 2851	904	November 1978	Toll Rail ("Corn Cob")	In service	North Island
DH 2868	905	March 1979	KiwiRail	In service	North Island

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.