| Community Response |
Locomotive Details |
Location/Date of Photo |
 | | Views: 2,629 Favorited: 9 | | Since added on February 28, 2018 | |
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» Kiwi Rail (more..)
» EF (more..) |
» Te Mawhai
» Te Awamutu, New Zealand (more..)
» February 08, 2018 |
| Locomotive No./Train ID |
Photographer |
» 30059 (more..)
» 390 (more..) |
» James Stearn (more..)
» Contact Photographer · Photographer Profile |
| Remarks & Notes |
| A pair of Kiwi Rail EF locomotives head north on the North Island Main Trunk with an express service from Palmerston North to Tauranga. These often ignored locomotives have powered the NIMT since 1988 when the line was electrified between Palmerston North and Te Rapa (near Hamilton) in order to increase both the speed and weight of trains over the steep gradients which were limited by the diesel traction of the time. 22 EF locomotives were constructed by Brush Traction at Loughbrough in the UK to a Bo-Bo-Bo design. 30 years later Kiwi Rail is imminently planning to withdraw the electric locos and replace them with new DL class diesels imported from China. The electric locos are said to be approaching the end of their useful life and through diesel running will eliminate the need to swap locos at each end of the electrified section. The overhead equipment will be retained should it be required in the future. |
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