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Te Huia Passenger Coach

(Representing the basic SR coach).

Te Huia is a passenger train in New Zealand, set to launch on April 6th, 2021. It will run from Hamilton to Papakura (south Auckland), with two northbound services in the morning and two southbound in the evening, stopping only at Rotokauri and Huntly on the way. The train gets its name from an extinct bird that was native to New Zealand - Te Huia.

Motive power for this service will be a pair of DFB diesel locomotives - specifically DFBs 7295 and 7077, with DFB 7335 kept in Hamilton as a spare. The DFBs were originally DF class locomotives, and built by General Electric in 1979 (20 engines) and 1981 (30 engines). They were rebuilt with more powerful turbocharged engines in the 1990s, and were initially reclassified as DFT. Now the engines are classified as DFBs after receiving even more modifications. For reference, DFB 7295 was rebuilt from DF 6127, DFB 7077 was rebuilt from DF 6225 and DFB 7335 was rebuilt from DF 6064.

As for Te Huia's coaches, they're not brand-new either. They are heavily-rebuilt ex-British Rail Mk2 coaches, who's 1st rebuilt - around 2005 - was to make them suitable for use on Auckland suburban trains. They fulfilled this role until 2015, when they were replaced by AM class electric multiple units.

The coaches were classified either as SA or SD for Auckland service. The SD is a cab-car (thus allowing push-pull services), while the SA is a normal coach. After retirement, they were stored in Taumarunui for around five years.

Nine SA and three SD coaches - making a total of 12 - were chosen for use on Te Huia. They were rebuilt at Hutt Workshops and reclassified in the SR series; SR standing for Suburban Regional. Six SAs were converted to the basic SR spec, while three SAs became SRC cafe coaches and three SD cab-cars became SRV generator cars. Each train will consist of four coaches and be hauled by one DFB locomotive.

Incidentally the SRV coaches will not lead the train whilst it's in passenger service, despite the fact that they retained their cab. Apparently the locomotive will only propel the train when its out-of-service and heading back to the depot.