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New Zealand Railways V8

(This reskin is specifically based on the English Electric DF class. I used the DF as a basis because it has the same wheel arrangement as the V8 - 2-Co-Co-2. 6387 (the number carried by this reskin) is that of a real-life V8 locomotive.)

The DF class was a class of just 10 locomotives; all built by English Electric in 1954. They were the 2nd mainline diesel class to enter service in New Zealand, with the first being the DE class of 1952. Some technical specifications of the DF's are as follows:

Length - 17.678 metres (over headstocks)
Width - 2.540 metres
Height - 3.505 metres
Wheel Arrangement - 2-Co-Co-2
Weight - 107 tonnes
Adhesive Weight - 70 tonnes
Axle Loading - 11.9 tonnes
Prime Mover - English Electric 12SVT Mk2
Power Output - 1,500 horsepower
Fuel Capacity - 1,700 litres
Top Speed - 97 kilometres per hour

The engines in this class were numbered from 1500 to 1509. 1501 went to Paekakariki on a test run in July 1954, which was one of the first times a DF moved under her own power. They seemed to be a little underpowered for their size, but - nonetheless - they entered service in the North Island. Originally New Zealand Railways ordered 31 DF's, but this was later changed to just 10 DF's and 42 DG's. The DG looks similar to a DF, but is shorter, has a different wheel arrangement (A1A-A1A instead of 2-Co-Co-2) and only one cab.

DF locomotives were confined to the North Island. They were a very common sight over the old East Coast Main Trunk line. While working on this line, they ran with fellow diesel locomotives of the DB and Di classes. As well as the ECMT, the DF's were often seen running over the North Island Main Trunk. As with most diesels that entered service in the 1950's, the English Electric DF's were intended to help replace steam locomotives in the North Island. While the class never ran in service in the South Island, they did occasionally venture south to Dunedin. These trips were only for overhauls, and the engines were towed to Dunedin instead of running under their own power. Once the overhauls were done, the DF's did occasionally run freight trains to and from Port Chalmers and Mosgiel.

The English Electric DF's were heavier than the later and slightly less powerful DA's (which entered service between 1955 and 1967). Consequently they were used to haul freight trains on the North Auckland Line (Auckland to Whangarei) and East Coast Main Trunk (Hamilton to Tauranga via Waitoa and Paeroa). Due to their higher axle loading, the DA class was generally prohibited from running over the NAL and ECMT.

By 1964, the numbering of DA class locomotives (which were still being built at the time) crept over into the 1500 range. This resulted in the DF's class being renumbered from 1500-1509 to 1300-1309 in November 1965.

Throughout their lives the English Electric DF's were not particularly reliable and needed frequent repairs. This is the main reason why the class had a very short lifespan. Withdrawal of the DF's began in 1972, with the last withdrawal (DF 1301) taking place in June 1975. Initially NZR had a plan to shift the whole class to the South Island, where they would join their smaller but more versatile DG siblings. They were intended to operate over the hilly Dunedin to Oamaru section of the Main South Line. The DF's were never transferred south. Consequently their position was filled by the DJ class. As for the old East Coast Main Trunk through Paeroa and Waihi - the DF's old stomping ground - that route was closed and replaced by the Kaimai Tunnel in September 1978. Today the Kaimai Deviation is still a very busy part of the KiwiRail system, as is the Tauranga area as a whole.

Following her retirement in 1975, DF 1301 was placed on static display at Sim Pacific Metals Limited in the Auckland suburb of Otahuhu, replacing the steam locomotive K 900. The K was sent to MOTAT in Western Springs. As part of the move to Otahuhu, 1301 was re-united with her original number of 1501. For whatever reason, the locomotive received V-shaped nose stripes in place of the original wing-shape. Personally I prefer the old wing design. DF 1501 was Initially displayed out in the open. Later on a basic shelter was built over the locomotive although this did not halt her gradual deterioration.

DF 1501 remained on the plinth in Otahuhu for the next 38 years. In 2007, she was purchased by the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand. FRONZ made arrangements with the Diesel Traction Group to have the DF sent down to Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch (the DTG's headquarters). In August 2008, the DF was lifted off her display plinth by a crane, and taken by truck over to the Westfield rail yard.

It wasn't until January 2009 when DF 1501 left Westfield. Members of the Digital Traction Group accompanied the locomotive on a three-day trip to Christchurch, which covered a distance of around 1,100 kilometres. The DF was transported south by both rail and sea. Over the Hamilton to Palmerston North leg, she was dragged behind two electric locomotives (EF's 30140 and 30203), with DXC 5264 doing the honours over the Picton to Christchurch leg. After arriving at Christchurch's Middleton yard, the locomotive was moved to the Ferrymead Railway by rail. Ferrymead is the base of operations for the Diesel Traction Group.

Today DF 1501 is still at Ferrymead awaiting restoration. On a personal note, I ended up seeing 1501 when I visited the Ferrymead Railway in November 2018. The stupid thing was, I forgot that she even existed until I saw her in an open 'shed' in front of the Hall of Wheels. What was even more impressive was that Di 1102 was right beside the DF. As mentioned earlier, both the DF's and Di's were once common sights on the old East Coast Main Trunk to Tauranga.