The First D~G Locomotives in the South Island

摘要

The latter part of April 1956 marked a milestone in locomotive progress in the South Island for on 19 April two D~G class locomotives were unloaded from the vessel Waitemata at Lyttelton. They were the first main-line diesel-electrics to be seen in the South Island, and 26 April was the date of the first train hauled by this type of motive power down south. Their arrival was rather unexpected. They were not due until August or September but, owing to an acute hydro-electric power position, these locomotives, destined for North Island service, were sent south to be used - one at Addington and the other at Hillside - to supply electric power for the workshops, entering service after the power shortage was over.