NZR RM class (Silver Fern)
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This article is about the New Zealand railcar service and the railcars themselves. For other uses, see Silver Fern (disambiguation).
| NZ RM class Silver Fern |
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 A Silver Fern near Warrington, New Zealand |
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| Power type | Diesel railcar (Passenger capacity: 96) |
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| Builder | Kawasaki and Toshiba trading as Nissho-Iwai Company of Japan |
| Build date | 1972 |
| UIC classification | A1A - Bo + 2 - Bo |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Length | 47.4 m |
| Total weight | 107 t |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar D398TA |
| Top speed | 120 km/h |
| Power output | 670 kW / 950 hp |
| Career | New Zealand Railways, Tranz Scenic, Veolia Auckland |
| Number in class | 3 |
| Number | Original: 1, 2, 3 TMS: 18, 24, 30 |
| Locale | Auckland |
| First run | 1972 |
| Disposition | Currently in service |
The NZR RM class Silver Fern is a class of railcar in New Zealand. The three air-conditioned and sound-proofed 723 kW 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by Kawasaki and Toshiba, trading as Nissho Iwai Company of Japan. The New Zealand Railways classed the railcars RM, like all other railcars.
They were introduced to encourage passengers back to rail transport due to competition from air and road transport. The class was named the "Silver Ferns" (a national symbol of New Zealand) because of their exterior was made of corrugated stainless steel, much like the overnight carriage train the "Silver Star", and replaced the three 82 seater Blue Streak railcars.
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[edit] History
The railcars are most famous for their service on the eponymous North Island Main Trunk daylight passenger train between Auckland and Wellington between Sunday, December 14, 1972 and Sunday, December 8, 1991.
In December 1991 the Silver Fern was replaced by the Overlander carriage train. The railcars were transferred to the routes between Auckland and Tauranga (Kaimai Express), Rotorua (Geyserland Express) and in 2000, Hamilton (Waikato Connection), but they were not commercially successful and ceased on 7 October 2001. The railcars are owned by Toll NZ, and were leased from 2002 to Veolia Auckland to operate Auckland - Pukekohe commuter services on behalf of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA). That lease will expire in 2009, however there is a possibility that the lease may be extended further. They are available for charters.
[edit] Service
The Silver Fern offered airline-style service onboard. Drinks, snacks and the morning paper were supplied to passengers. From 1972 to 1988 there was a lunch stop at Taihape for services in both directions. That was replaced by airline-style meals heated on board, and Taihape railway station dining room was closed, the entire station being later demolished and replaced by a shelter.
[edit] Accidents
Level crossing accidents and other incidents seemed to be synonymous with these railcars and, on 18 August 1981, half of the first and second sets derailed near Waiouru. Four people were killed. The railcars were replaced by the "Blue Fern" for three years until 1984.
[edit] See also
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