New Zealand DQ and QR class locomotives

Tranz Rail

Industry	Railway transport
Predecessor	New Zealand Rail Limited
Founded	1995
Fate	Renamed KiwiRail in 2008
Headquarters	Wellington , New Zealand
Products	Railway locomotives refurbishment and operations

The DQ and QR class diesel locomotives served in both New Zealand and Tasmania, Australia. These units were initially manufactured in the 1960s by Clyde Engineering as part of the Queensland Rail 1460 and 1502 classes. In 1995, Tranz Rail acquired them for refurbishment, offering a more economical solution compared to investing in brand-new locomotives.

Introduction

During the period from March to September 1995, New Zealand Rail Limited—renamed Tranz Rail in October of the same year—procured twenty-one locomotives from the 1460 series and four from the 1502 series for rebuilding to operate within New Zealand. The first shipment, comprising seven 1460 and one 1502 unit, arrived in Auckland on 12 September 1995 before being transferred to the Hutt Workshops located in Wellington. A second group, consisting of twelve 1460s and three 1502s, reached Wellington on 23 May 1997 aboard the inter-island ferry . The last pair of locomotives, delayed due to mechanical complications, was delivered on 25 June 1997 via the MV Lauriegracht.

Tranz Rail categorized the fleet into two distinct classes: the DQ class featured extensive rebuilds including new cabs with low noses, dynamic braking systems, computerized controls, and a fresh coat of paint in the Cato Blue livery. Conversely, the QR class underwent overhauls that included installation of auto-transition couplings and were similarly repainted Cato Blue but were restricted to trailing roles because they lacked necessary safety equipment for lead operations. Initial intentions to designate the 1460 locomotives as DQC and the 1502 units as DQF were ultimately discarded.

The very first rebuilt locomotive, DQ15215 (formerly 1521), completed mainline testing between September and October 1996 before commencing revenue service under the number DQ6007 that same October. This unit was informally dubbed "The Platypus." Locomotives converted from the 1502 class were assigned numbers in the 60XX series, whereas those from the 1460 class received numbers in the 63XX range, reflecting their different power ratings. DQ6007 was distinguished by a horizontal headlight with its number displayed beneath it; other units featured vertical headlights with numbers positioned alongside. The inaugural QR class locomotive entered operational service in October 1997. Three locomotives (1499–1501) remained unrebuilt and were reserved for spare parts at Hutt Workshops.

Locomotive No. 1499 was earmarked as a prototype for a turbocharged DQT subclass but was dismantled in 2001 after that project was abandoned less than a year following its inception. Units 1500 and 1501 were also slated for conversion into DQT models; however, after cancellation of this initiative, Tranz Rail authorized their conversion into DQ units—a process that never materialized—resulting in their storage at Hutt.

Service

After DQ6007’s introduction, it operated between Wellington and Palmerston North for approximately two weeks to address early operational challenges. Subsequently, it was deployed on freight routes throughout the lower North Island. Six more DQ locomotives along with seven QR units joined service soon after. Initially, crews expressed dissatisfaction with these locomotives due to high levels of cab noise and exhaust emissions. In response, Tranz Rail modified unit DQ6324 to mitigate these issues to standards acceptable by the Rail & Maritime Transport Union. Meanwhile, QR units were converted and repainted specifically for use as slave units.

While primarily utilized for freight duties, this locomotive class also operated on passenger services such as the Capital Connection, Wairarapa Connection, and occasionally on the Overlander route to Palmerston North. Recurring reliability problems—most notably frequent generator breakdowns—resulted in their withdrawal from long-haul assignments. Instead, they found roles on shorter-distance runs including services between Middleton Yard in Christchurch and Lyttelton, as well as hauling containerized coal trains on the Ohai Branch. Some locomotives served as bankers, assisting trains near Dunedin and later operating out of Picton. The unmodified 1460 class engines were occasionally employed for shunting tasks and mechanical testing duties.

Exports to Tasmania

Following the 1997 acquisition of AN Tasrail, Australian Transport Network (ATN)—a joint venture with Tranz Rail under Wisconsin Central Limited—sought to replace the outdated Alco and English Electric locomotives. Consequently, twelve DQs, three QRs, and eight 1460 class locomotives were relocated to Tasmania. Among these, three DQs underwent adaptations for Tasmanian conditions; QR 3032 had its short hood lowered to match the DQ profile. The eight 1460 class units were converted into DQs, with some still mid-conversion at the time of sale. Initially, the QRs were leased for a year before being permanently acquired.

Adjustments made to these locomotives involved resetting the drawgear height to align with Queensland Railways specifications, enlarging fuel tanks, repositioning battery boxes, adding sludge tanks and sump pans, installing "Kaitiaki" vigilance devices, incorporating ZTR anti-wheelslip systems, and enhancing dynamic braking capabilities. They were renumbered into the 2000 series and trialed on routes between Wellington and Palmerston North. Notably, the ex-1460s retained EMD 567C prime movers originally sourced from former ex-1502 class units.

The initial pair of DQs (numbers 2001 and 2002) arrived at Bell Bay in September 1998 after being transported aboard MV Polar Queen in August. These units were repainted in ATN’s red scheme featuring green "Tasrail" lettering and yellow barcode stripes on the short hood. Subsequent deliveries displayed either a maroon Wisconsin Central livery or preserved the Cato Blue scheme for QRs. The Tasrail livery introduced later combined maroon with a buff yellow band and red lettering alongside the Tasmanian flag—an approach partly driven by ATN's cost considerations.

Shipments continued until late 1999, with four batches delivered by October. Despite upgrades, the DQs encountered reliability issues in Tasmania, predominantly due to main generator failures. Operational problems were alleviated by reducing their hauling loads. All locomotives transferred ownership during ATN’s 2004 sale to Pacific National and later in 2009 to TasRail. Starting in August 2010, six units received a grey and yellow paint scheme; two of these bore special advertising panels promoting level crossing safety and commemorating the Rosebery Mine’s 75th anniversary.

The three QRs primarily functioned as trailing units since they lacked radios and other necessary equipment for lead operations; they also performed yard shunting tasks. Within a year of arrival, two QRs were placed in storage; all eventually returned but faced withdrawal between 2002 and 2009 due to significant engine failures. Withdrawn locomotives were stored at East Tamar Workshops before being dismantled at One Steel in Bell Bay by 2012.

TasRail formally purchased the DQs and QRs in 2001. In 2017, DQ 2007 was converted into driving trailer DV2 for cement train services between Railton and Devonport, replacing DV1; it was undergoing trials as of February 2023. By October 2022, seven of eleven remaining units remained operational while four were stored at East Tamar Workshops.

Withdrawal in New Zealand

After selling twelve DQs and three QRs to TasRail, Tranz Rail retained DQs numbered 6324, 6347, 6376, 6382 along with QRs 2027, 2079, and 2085. The QRs served primarily as slave units on freight trains throughout both islands and occasionally operated on the Coastal Pacific. Early in 2000, DQs 6347 and 6376 were redeployed to the South Island for coal shuttle duties between Middleton and Lyttelton. By November that year, DQs 6324 and 6382 joined them for banking tasks between Oamaru and Dunedin, later extending service to Picton-Wharanui routes.

The trio of QRs was withdrawn by mid-1999 and stored at Hutt Workshops. In 2003, these QRs along with two unconverted 1460 class locomotives were sold to the National Railway Equipment Company. By November 2005, all five had been shipped to Mount Vernon, Illinois. The two 1460 class units underwent refurbishment and remain in operation: No. 1500 (renumbered as 5001) serves the Magadi Soda Company in Kenya; No.1501 (renumbered No.9) has been operating for CMP in Chile since around 2008. The other three are stored at Mount Vernon stripped of parts.

DQs numbered 6324 and 6382 were retired in 2002; while 6382 was stored at Hillside Workshops for parts cannibalization, 6324 was kept on standby at Middleton Yard for coal operations before moving to Linwood Depot for storage and spare parts use. DQ6376 was withdrawn due to a faulty main generator but all three units returned to service following overhauls conducted at Hutt Workshops.

On June 20, 2011, DQ6376 sustained damage in a slip collision near Claverley leading to its withdrawal for parts recovery. By late 2012, DQ6324 was retired due to worn wheelsets and stored at Hutt Workshops. In March 2013, DQs 6347 and 6382 also entered storage at Middleton Yard.

In early 2013, KiwiRail offered these locomotives for export: DQs 6324 and 6376 in February; followed by DQs 6347 and 6382 in March. The latter pair was sold through APEX International while the former went to the National Railway Equipment Company. Between April and May, DQs 6347 and 6382 were moved from Middleton Yard to Auckland port for overseas shipment; DQs 6324 and 6376 followed during July-August. After refurbishment by RRL Grindrod in South Africa, they now operate in Mozambique under new designations: RRL22-02 (6347), RRL22-01 (6382), BG15-01 (6324), BG15-02 (6376). The RRL22 series serves a cement facility on the Nacala Corridor, whereas BG15-02 worked for Harmony Mining Company in Welkom. In October 2017, RRL22-01 and RRL22-02 were listed for sale by Grindrod. The BG15 units crossed northbound at Beitbridge displaying Tazara branding.

External links

• NZ Railways Rolling Stock Lists - 1996 DQ Class