New Zealand DB class locomotive

Introduction

The DB class was introduced to the rail network in 1965-66 as a result of a requirement for a modern locomotive that could operate on the North Island lines that the D^A class was excluded from due to their weight and axle load. While these were mainly branch lines, it also applied to the East Coast Main Trunk line, particularly the section beyond Paeroa through the Karangahake and Athenree gorges, until the opening of the Kaimai Tunnel in 1978. The class was virtually indistinguishable externally from the D^A class, being of the same basic design and dimensions, and wearing the same livery. They were some 13 tonnes lighter with a V8 prime as opposed to a V12, though they shared the same A1A-A1A wheel configuration and traction motors for commonality with the D^A fleet.

Rebuild to DBR

In the late 1970s the decision was undertaken to rebuild the D^B class along similar lines to that being undertaken for the D^A class into the DC class. However, as the rebuild was not as extensive and did not involve conversion into another GMD model the rebuilt D^B units were designated as DBR (R = rebuild). The work was undertaken by Clyde Engineering in Australia and involved the lowering of the short hood to improve visibility for the driver, new cabs and the installation of a new EMD 8-645 engine. Ten units were rebuilt between 1980 and 1982.

In service

The D^B class was employed primarily freight duties, though they did also see occasional service hauling passenger trains. As lines and bridges were upgraded, and in the case of the ECMT the Kaimai Tunnel opening, the weight advantage the locomotives had over other classes used in the North Island became less of a factor and the locomotives were operated as part of a general pool. The lightweight nature of the locomotives was called upon again however to operate some South Island lines following the withdrawal of the D^I and D^J classes. The last DBR returned north from the South Island in 2008.

Current

The remaining locomotives are all employed in the upper North Island. Two units were leased to Auckland Transport for suburban passenger services until 2014, with the remaining locomotives primarily employed in freight operations.

Auckland Transport

From 2006 to 2014 two locomotives were leased to the Auckland Regional Transport Authority and then its successor, Auckland Transport, with the services operated under contract by Transdev. The two locomotives, DBRs 1199 and 1254, are operated in a top and tail configuration with the five car SX carriage set, and wear the full MAXX Blue livery. A third unit, DBR 1226, is also painted in MAXX Blue but without the MAXX logo. DBR 1226 is usually used for freight services or work trains by KiwiRail, but was used as back up for DBR 1199 or DBR 1254 as it has the necessary modifications to work with the suburban carriages. The leases expired in 2014 and the locomotives returned to freight service.

Wellington Bankers

For many years two DBR class locomotives formed the basis of a banker set out of Wellington, primarily assisting trains between Wellington and Paekakariki but also performing multiple other jobs including the Hutt Workshops shunt, work trains around the region and any unusual movements. DBRs 1199 and 1200 were the initial pair, becoming known as the "Bobsy Twins" (sp), likely a reference to the Bobbsey Twins due mainly to their consecutive numbers (a rarity under the TMS numbering system). In the early 2000s DBR 1199 suffered a failure and was withdrawn from service and laid up, replaced on the banker set by DBR 1267. DBR 1199 was later sent to Hillside for repair and use on the Auckland SX set commuter trains, by which time the pairing of DBRs 1200 and 1267 had become known simply as "The Twins". Following prolonged electrical trouble, in July 2013 DBR 1200 was taken out of service, and was replaced with other locomotives that were available. DBR 1267 was later transferred to Auckland to replace DBR 1282, with the Wellington banking role taken over by other locomotives.

Numbering

The class was initially numbered DB 1000 to DB 1016, this being in common with NZR practice of the time to number locomotive classes with reference to the power output. Upon the introduction of the computerised Traffic Management System the class was renumbered and the designation capitalised. The class received new four digit numbers beginning with 1, in which the last number is a check digit for the whole number. Under the new system D^B 1001 retained its number, becoming DB 1001, with D^B 1000 becoming DB 1018. The rest of class was renumbered in sequence, with D^B 1016 becoming DB 1180. The units being rebuilt to DBR received a new TMS number in the 12XX range when they entered the rebuilding cycle. The exception to this was the first unit rebuilt, DB 1076, which retained its original designation for a number of years before being redesignated DBR and renumbered 1199.

Livery

The locomotives were delivered in the same overall deep red livery as the D^A class, with the same white stripes along the sides and 'wings' on the ends. With the introduction of TMS the locomotives road numbers were applied in large white numbers to the long hoods. This livery was worn by many of the unrebuilt DBs until their retirement, while the DBRs were returned to service in the International Orange or "Fruit Salad" scheme (red and grey with yellow safety ends) being applied to most classes at the time. DBs 1082 and 1099 also received this livery in the 1980s.

DBR 1295 was repainted into the Toll Rail "Corn Cob" scheme (yellow and green), and the three units used on Auckland services have received the MAXX Blue livery (deep blue and yellow). More recently DBR 1267 has received the KiwiRail grey, red and yellow scheme.

Withdrawal

As of 000000002017-02-01-0000February 2017, 16 units have been withdrawn from service. All of the withdrawn units were withdrawn on account of being surplus to requirements or poor mechanical condition. All of the DB locomotives were withdrawn by 000000001989-02-01-0000February 1989. In 2002, DBRs 1199, 1239 and 1241 were withdrawn and placed into storage at Hutt Workshops. 1199 was returned to service a year later. 1239 and 1241 were scrapped in 2008 due to a tidy up of the storage yard at the workshops.

Withdrawals didn't begin again until 000000002013-10-01-0000October 2013, with 1200 being the first. 1213, 1267 and 1295 followed over the next few months. In 000000002014-02-01-0000February 2014, 1267, 1282 and 1295 were reinstated due to the DL class locomotives were taken out of service due to samples from one locomotive after tested positive for asbestos. Withdrawals began again in May of that year when 1282 was laid up. 1199, 1254, 1267 and 1295 have been laid since then.

Future

According to KiwiRail, the DBR class was to be withdrawn by the end of 2015. Despite this 1226 and 1267 lasted into 2017, with 1226 now being the remaining DBR in service.