TasRail DC class

{{Infobox locomotive

|name = DC class

|powertype = Diesel-electric

|image =

|alt =

|caption =

|builder = General Motors Canada

|ordernumber =

|serialnumber =

|buildmodel = Electro Motive Diesel G22AR

|builddate = 1964

|rebuilder = Clyde Engineering

|rebuilddate = 1980

|numberrebuilt =

|aarwheels = C-C

|uicclass = A1A-A1A

|gauge = {{RailGauge|3ft6in|lk=on}}

|trucks =

|bogies =

|wheeldiameter = {{convert|1.25|m|ftin|0}}

|trailingdiameter =

|minimumcurve =

|wheelbase =

|length = {{convert|14.10|m|ftin|0}}

|width = {{convert|2.72|m|ftin|0}}

|height = {{convert|3.76|m|ftin|0}}

|axleload = {{convert|18|t}}

|weightondrivers = {{convert|60.0|t|lk=on}}

|locoweight = {{convert|82.0|t}}

|fueltype = Diesel

|fuelcap =

|lubecap =

|coolantcap =

|watercap =

|sandcap =

|powersupply =

|consumption =

|watercons =

|primemover = Electro Motive Diesel 645C

|rpmrange = 900 rpm

|enginetype = V12 Diesel engine

|aspiration = Normally aspirated (Roots blower)

|displacement =

|alternator =

|generator = Electro Motive Diesel D32

|tractionmotors = Electro Motive Diesel 548

|headendpower =

|cylindercount = 12

|cylindersize =

|transmission =

|multipleworking =

|maxspeed = {{convert|100|km/h|abbr=on}}

|poweroutput = {{convert|1062|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}

|tractiveeffort = {{convert|140|kN|lk=on|abbr=on}}

|factorofadhesion =

|trainheating =

|locobrakes = Hand brakes/Westinghouse 26L air brake/Dynamic

|locobrakeforce =

|trainbrakes = Westinghouse 26L air brake

|safety =

|operator = New Zealand Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Corporation
Tranz Rail
AN Tasrail

|operatorclass =

|powerclass =

|numinclass = 1

|fleetnumbers = 4588

|officialname =

|nicknames =

|axleloadclass =

|locale =

|deliverydate = 15 December 1998

|firstrundate = February 1999

|lastrundate = October 2002

|retiredate = October 2002

|withdrawndate = October 2002

|preservedunits =

|restoredate =

|scrapdate =

|currentowner =

|disposition = Scrapped

}}

The DC class was a class of diesel locomotives in New Zealand and Tasmania. Originally built by General Motors Canada and Clyde Engineering between 1955 and 1967 as New Zealand Government Railways DA class locomotive. Eighty-five DAs were rebuilt as the DC class locomotive.

Tranz Rail, a successor of the NZGR, sold DC 4588 to AN Tasrail. It has since been scrapped.

Introduction and service

Due to a locomotive shortage due to the planned replacement of AN Tasrails English Electric locomotive fleet, Tranz Rail shipped DC 4588 to Tasmania on a one-year lease. The locomotive left Wellington on 8 December 1998 on the Arktis Dream, and arrived in Bell Bay, Tasmania on 15 December 1998. The locomotives were later sold to Tasrail.{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=5|number=2|issn=1173-2229|date=March 1999}} Due to the DC being in a non standard nature, low tractive effort and having a small fuel capacity,{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc |title=DC Class |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=11 May 2017}} the loco was restricted to the Bell Bay Line, until Easter 1999 where it has since ventured out on the Western and Melba Lines,{{cite news|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=5|number=3|issn=1173-2229|date=June 1999}} while still operating in Tranz Rails Cato Blue livery, but with the "Tranz Rail" lettering replaced with "Tasrail" lettering.{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc |title=DC Class |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=11 May 2017}}

Withdrawal and disposal

DC 4588 was placed into storage in October 2002 after suffering an engine problem.{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc |title=DC Class |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=12 May 2017}} Rebuilding commenced on the locomotive in 2005 at East Tamar Workshops.{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/photogal/showimage.php?id=663 |title=DC4588 under overhaul at East Tamar workshops, August 2005 |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=12 May 2017}} The rebuilding included lowering the short-hood, replacing the big front cab window with two smaller ones, and a front cab door on the non-assistants side.{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffrey_grenfell/6630744633/in/photolist-9DvNjw-9DvHru-Ut5hj8-s8So8y-remPgD-b6Wink-F1od6R-FvwJcj-FMsNCY |title=DC4588 undergoing a rebuild at the East Tamar workshops. |website=Flickr |date=3 December 2005 |access-date=12 May 2017}} By 2008, the rebuilding had stopped and was once again placed into long-term storage,{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/photogal/showimage.php?id=425 |title=Its rebuild stopped part way through, ex New Zealand Rail locomotive DC4588 remains stored at East Tamar workshops |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=12 May 2017}} until being scrapped in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.railtasmania.com/loco/loco.php?id=dc |title=DC Class |website=RailTasmania.com |access-date=12 May 2017}}

Class register

class="wikitable"

!Key:

|In Service

|bgcolor=#f4a460|Under overhaul/repair

|bgcolor=#ffc0cb|Withdrawn/Out of service

|bgcolor=#98ff98|Preserved

|bgcolor=#87cefa|Shipped

|bgcolor=#cecece|Scrapped

class="sortable wikitable" border="1"
Number ! Entered Service ! Withdrawn ! Status ! Notes
style="background:#cecece;" \| 4588 \| {{dts\|1999\|February}} \| {{dts\|2002\|October}} \| Scrapped \| Scrapped at East Tamar Workshops.

class="sortable wikitable" border="1"

Number

! Entered Service

! Withdrawn

! Status

! Notes

style="background:#cecece;"

| 4588

| {{dts|1999|February}}

| {{dts|2002|October}}

| Scrapped

| Scrapped at East Tamar Workshops.