New Zealand DX class locomotive

"DX class (locomotive)" redirects here; not to be confused with LNWR DX Goods Class.

New Zealand DX class locomotive
DXB5143, the first locomotive to be painted in the KiwiRail livery, at Wellington Railway Station in July 2008 for the launch of KiwiRail
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation, United States Model GE U26C Build date 1972–1975
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 16.9 metres (55 ft 5 in) Width 2.74 metres (9 ft 0 in) Height 3.70 metres (12 ft 2 in) Axle load DX 16.25 t (15.99 long tons; 17.91 short tons) DXR 17.5 t (17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons) Adhesive weight DX 97.5 t (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons) DXR 105 t (103 long tons; 116 short tons) Loco weight DX 97.5 t (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons) DXR 105 t (103 long tons; 116 short tons) Prime mover General Electric 7FDL-12 RPM range 400–1050 rpm Engine type V12 Diesel engine Aspiration Turbocharged Alternator General Electric GTA-11 Traction motors Six Cylinders 12 Transmission 25/64 gear ratio
Performance figures Maximum speed 105 km/h (65 mph) Power output DX/DXB/DXC 2,050 kW (2,750 hp) original 2,240 kW (3,000 hp) uprated DXB/DXC/DXR 2,420 kW (3,250 hp) Tractive effort DX 259 kN (58,000 lbf) continuous
Career Number in class 49 Numbers 2600–2648 (original) 5016–5520 (TMS) DXR 8007, 8022 Nicknames "Dixies" (DX) First run DX 9 November 1972 - 11 September 1976 DXR 22 October 1993 - 21 December 2005 DXC 1997 Disposition 44 in service 2 rebuilt as DXR 1 scrapped 1 under overhaul 1 withdrawn

The New Zealand DX class locomotive is a type of diesel-electric locomotive that currently operates on New Zealand's national railway network. There are 49 of the locomotives and all are owned by KiwiRail. They have a Co-Co wheel arrangement.

Built by GE Transportation in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States, they were introduced to New Zealand between 1972 and 1976. The class is based on the General Electric U26C model, a narrow-gauge version of the GE U23C model, which in itself is a V12 version of the 16V GE U30C.

The locomotives are regarded as one of the most successful purchases in NZR's history. They have seen several upgrades since their introduction and three sub-classes now exist: the DXB, DXC and DXR. In 2025, it was announced that 46 of the locomotives had been sold to a South African purchaser, Traxtion. The first eight locomotives arrived in South Africa in July 2026. The final DX class locomotives are planned to be withdrawn by June 2027.