NZR EA class
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| NZR EA (later EO) class | |
 Three NZR EA / EO class locomotives at Otira |
|
| Power type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | Toshiba |
| Build date | 1968 |
| UIC classification | Bo-Bo |
| Gauge | 1067mm (3' 6") |
| Length | 11.6 m |
| Total weight | 55 t |
| Electric system | Otira Tunnel 1,500 V DC |
| Traction motors | 4 |
| Top speed | 72 km/h |
| Power output | 960 kW / 1285 hp 1 hour; 800 kW continuous |
| Career | New Zealand Railways, New Zealand Rail Limited, Tranz Rail |
| Class | EA (later EO) |
| Number in class | 5 |
| Number | 1 - 5 |
| Locale | Otira - Arthur's Pass |
| First run | 1968 |
| Last run | 1997 |
| Disposition | Stored (3), under refurbishment (2) |
The NZR EA class (later EO of 1968) was a class operated by New Zealand Railways between 1968 and 1997. They were used on the Otira-Arthurs Pass section of the Midland line of the South Island, through the Otira Tunnel.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The class replaced the EO class of 1923 on these duties. The class were later reclassified EO.
[edit] Temporary withdrawal
When the decision to scrap the electrification of the section was made in the 1990s in favor of dieselisation, with modified DX class locomotives and upgrading of the Otira Tunnel, these locomotives were withdrawn from service. Two are stored at the Ferrymead Railway preservation society (however they remain in Toll ownership); the other three are still in the possession of Toll Rail. After a decade of storage in Toll's Picton yard, two of this latter group of three were transferred in 2007 to the Hutt Workshops in the North Island for refurbishment. Once refurbished, they will be leased from Toll by the Greater Wellington Regional Council for use on Wellington suburban commuter trains. The GWRC is pursuing this option as a short term solution to increase capacity on the Wellington network, and the locomotives will operate with six ex-British Rail carriages currently being refurbished. Re-introduction to service is forecast for late 2008.[1] [2]
[edit] References
- ^ Greater Wellington Regional Council, "Procurement Manager's Report for Period Ending 9 November 2007" (Attachment 1 to Report 07.739), 43-44, accessed 22 November 2007.
- ^ "Metlink News" (GWRC) Issue 5, April 2008
[edit] External links
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