KiwiRail - Prototype DM Class Locomotive Arrival (HD)

October 19th 2024, marked a major milestone for KiwiRail when the first 2 DM class locomotives arrived on New Zealand soil at the Port of Lyttelton in Christchurch. DM's 8012 & 8029 are the prototypes of an order of 66 locomotives, being constructed by Swiss company 'Stadler' in Spain. The DM class are a state of the art locomotive design and will see service in both the North & South Islands. As they enter service from 2025, older classes of locomotives being the DC, DF & DX classes will be phased out of service, some already having done over 50 years service for rail in New Zealand. All DM locomotives will be commissioned at Middleton Locomotive Depot, before they appear on the rails in the South Island and eventually the rest of the country!