Stadler wins New Zealand loco order

KIWIRAIL has ordered 57 new six-axle diesel locos from Stadler, in a deal worth at least €228 million. The 1067mm gauge locos, derived from the UK/

Euro Light model (UK Class 68) will use a 3MW Caterpillar CAT C175-16 engine that meets the latest EU Cat V emissions standards and are being bought for both freight and passenger use on the South Island of New Zealand.

The locos will be built at Stadler’s Valencia factory in

Spain with deliveries between 2024 and 2026. The arrival of new locos is likely to result in the withdrawal of most of the existing fleet in use on the

South Island part of the system.

In the last decade, KiwiRail had bought Class DL locos from Chinese manufacturer CRRC, ordering the last 10 of 73 locos in February.

Your reports and pictures are most welcome. Highly competitive rates are paid, especially if exclusive to The RM.