Motive power Rail transport in New Zealand

from inception until 1950s, steam locomotives main motive power on new zealand s railways. 2 short sections of line electrified @ 1500 v dc – arthur s pass otira (electrified 1923), christchurch lyttelton (1929), both have since been decommissioned. electrification of wellington suburban network @ 1500 v dc began in 1938 johnsonville line, followed north island main trunk (nimt) far paekakariki in 1940, , hutt valley lines in 1953–55. nimt electrification extended paraparaumu in 1983 , waikanae in 2011.

dieselisation began in late 1940s shunting locomotives. first mainline diesel locomotives, english electric df class, introduced in 1954, wasn t until introduction of da class following year steam began displaced in north island. last steam locomotive built nzr, j 1274, introduced service in december 1956, , 1967, steam had disappeared north island. steam remained in south island until november 1971, when last 7 j locomotives worked main south line withdrawn revenue service, steam in south island having been displaced dj class locomotive.

in 1988 25 kv ac electrification of north island main trunk (nimt) between palmerston north , hamilton commissioned, , new generation of mainline electric locomotives, ef class introduced.

as part of kiwirail s 10-year long-term plan, new capital spent on locomotives, wagons , auckland – wellington – christchurch freight corridor.