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Tranz Rail Blue V8

(Requested a long time ago by Trainspotting Tauranga, if my memory serves me right).

(Based specifically on EF 30192, albeit with some alterations to suit the V8 model).

EF 30192 is an electric locomotive that is operated by KiwiRail and runs between Palmerston North and Hamilton. She was built in 1988 by Brush Traction in England, and is part of a 22-strong class of electric locomotives built for the North Island Main Trunk electrification project.

Like the V8, the EF is an electric with a cab at each end, but the EF does not have the prominent ‘noses’ at each end which are present on the V8. Another major difference is the voltage each design runs on; EF’s use 25,000 volts alternating current while V8’s use . The last notable difference is in the wheel arrangement. The EF is a Bo-Bo-Bo while the V8 is a 2-Co-Co-2.

30192 - like all of her classmates - carried the International Orange or ‘Fruit Salad’ livery when she first entered service. Then in the early 2000’s she was repainted in Tranz Rail blue, and has since gained popularity amongst railfans, myself included - for being the only EF to ever receive Tranz Rail colours.

Surprisingly EF 30192 is still in service today, and still carries full Tranz Rail blue. On a personal note I’ve seen 30192 a few times, most notably in Waiouru on May 7th, 2017. That day there was a steam locomotive - JB 1236 - running at excursion to Tangiwai, but she was having boiler problems soon after leaving Taihape. So EF 30134 - a classmate that was running with 30192 - had to be taken off their freight train to help the JB. I was at Waiouru station when the procession passed by. Then a little while later EF 30192 turned up at the station on her own with train 240. There was a change of drivers, then the Electric Blue - as I like to call her - was on her way to Hamilton.