Subscribe to RSSHow It’s Looking: The New DL Locos
A couple of KiwiRail’s new 108 tonne double-cab diesel-electric DLs locomotives have been back in a yard at Mount Maunganui so we took another look.
The rail union has suggested those new Chinese-made DL locomotives may be too heavy for the rail network but KiwiRail has said the new locomotives are lighter than the electric locos that run between Hamilton and Palmerston North.
AKT Coverage and photos from the Mount kindly provided by Jolene. Chris and Callum James.
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13 Comments
Strange, these ongoing and differing arguments about what these locos’ weight is supposed to be. Why not just weigh them already to settle this?
Andrew, the argument is not over what they weigh, it’s whether or not they’re too heavy. The union says they are, KR says that they’re lighter than the toasters. Wikipedia says the toasters weigh 108T, so these are about the same weight. If they’re the same weight, how can they be too heavy?
They’re heavier than the locos used for metro rail and shunting service, but not heavier than the key electric NIMT locos and not much (only about 10-15T) heavier than the non-electric NIMT locos. Assuming they’re intended for use as NIMT freight locos, they’re not too heavy for that line.
its all about axle loadings not about how much they weigh.
interesting that @ 108 t thats matches the maximum axle loading allowed of 18 t,
I would take a guess that they are actually closer to 120 t which works out to be 20 t per axle.
m_mouse
“ongoing and differing arguments”
Sometimes arguments get repeated without actually still being relevant, just because nobody realises the argument has been settled?
Surely the max weight limits including fuel were taken into consideration during the tender process so why now is there any doubt?
Sounds like union noise
Didn’t union rep(s) go to China, and were involved in the process of approving the layout of the cab etc???
I totally understand there desire to Build the DL’s but KR is upagaist it, they need this new equipment now and there budget is limited. Government restraints on KR to perform.
Unions should be in the transport ministers face
Did the Loco perform well? I mean can it pull the cargo better and efficient than the old Loco?
As the “toasters” only run on half the middle of the NIMT, the weight issue is a fair question. It would be a real shame if the new locos could only operate on a very limited part of the whole rail network nationwide.
I assume the matter is about axle loading, not the overall weight.
@ Ian
That isexactly what i stated earlier if you take the time to read all the comments before repling.
mickey
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