The New Zealand DM class Locomotives[nb 1] of 57 diesel-electric locomotives are a class under manufacture for New Zealand rail operatorKiwiRail by Stadler Rail. The locomotives will be manufactured in Spain, and are expected to be introduced from early 2024 to 2026.[1]
The former New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) introduced 49 DX class locomotives into service between 1972 and 1977, all of which are now in service in the South Island. The locomotives are now almost 50 years old. In March 2020, KiwiRail released a tender for new mainline locomotives.[3]
The 2021 New Zealand budget allocated NZD$722.7 million to purchase new mainline locomotives, shunt locomotives and wagons.[4]
On 11 October 2021 Stadler Rail announced it had won the contract to supply 57 new locomotives for KiwiRail.[5] Stadler Rail stated the contract was worth €228 million,[5] or NZD$403 million.[1][6] The Rail & Maritime Transport Union, the main union representing KiwiRail staff, welcomed the purchase.[7] Stadler Rail won a contract to supply 34 similar locomotives to the Taiwan Railway Administration in 2019.[8][9]
^Based on the locomotive diagram provided by Stadler Rail, the locomotives will be numbered 10 xxx under New Zealand's locomotive numbering system; locomotive numbering is presently unconfirmed. KiwiRail have stated that "DM" will be used as the classification for the locomotives.[2]