Rolling Line

Rolling Line

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KiwiRail DXB 5080
   
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Livery
Livery Types: Diesel U20C
Regions: Oceania
Train Mods: Locomotive, Diesel
File Size
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31 Jan, 2021 @ 1:55am
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KiwiRail DXB 5080

Description
(GMD-1 not included).

DXB 5080 was built by General Electric in 1972, arriving in Auckland in February of that year (and entering service in November). She was the 8th engine to be built in a class of 49, and originally had the number DX 2607. As with all other DX’s, 2607 entered service while painted in Clockwork Orange.

2607 was renumbered to 5080 in 1978, but remained in the Clockwork Orange livery until 1984, when she was finally repainted in the so-called ‘Fruit Salad’ livery. When she wasn’t in the works for a repaint, DX 5022 was kept busy hauling freight trains up and down the North Island (I think this might have included the Stratford to Okahukura line as well as all the rest)

It wasn’t until 1996 when DX 5080 was repainted in Tranz Rail blue, although I don’t remember ever seeing her in this livery. She was reclassified as DXB 5080 and repainted in the KiwiRail livery in early 2010, after which she spent a year or two as a common sight in Tauranga (along with classmates 5016 and 5143).

Sadly DXB 5080 is no longer in the North Island, although she is still in service. Around five years ago she was transferred to the South Island, which has since become something of a dumping ground for ex-North Islanders after the unwelcome invasion of the DL class.