KiwiRail and Stadler sign contract for 57 diesel locomotives

A long-term framework agreement has been signed between Stadler and KiwiRail with a first call off to supply 57 diesel mainline locomotives.

This is the first contract for Stadler in New Zealand and has an order value equivalent to approximately €228 million.

KiwiRail is a New Zealand Government state-owned enterprise which is responsible for the New Zealand national rail network as well as operating New Zealand freight and between-island ferry services.

New Zealand rail has been operating for over 150 years keeping communities connected and goods delivered throughout the country.

This contract will see Stadler deliver the very latest, high-tech Co-Co monocoque locomotive, narrow-gauge which will be custom-built for KiwiRail’s needs and will be used mainly on the South Island for both passenger and freight operations due to its complex track requirements.

Stadler’s focus on bringing sustainable solutions in railway transportation will see the brand new locomotives meet the latest European emission standard (Stage V) and will see a substantial reduction
of nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions bringing benefits to both the environment and public health. The locomotives will also provide optimised combustion, reduced fuel usage and CO2 emissions meeting KiwiRail’s commitment to providing extremely energy efficient and low emission mode transportation for New Zealand.

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The locomotives will be two-cab, narrow body with a diesel engine that will work at 3000 kW and will allow KiwiRail to operate using fewer locomotives than they currently do. The cabs will also meet European standards in a bid to achieve an ergonomic, comfortable and safe working environment for KiwiRail’s engineers.

KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller said: “The 57 locomotives will replace our South Island fleet, which has an average age of 47 years. Stadler’s high quality, fuel-efficient, more powerful locomotives will allow us to improve service reliability to get more South Island freight off New Zealand’s roads and onto rail. The low emission locomotives are also an important step in KiwiRail’s plan to be emission neutral by 2050.”

“It’s a pleasure to work with Stadler. Their professional interactions, quality of engagement and state-of-the-art designs ensure we are partnering with a company that will deliver an outstanding outcome for KiwiRail and New Zealand, and enable our South Island fleet to take advantage of technology advancements well into the future. I’m already looking forward to seeing the first new locomotives
heading down our Kaikoura coast in 2024.”

Peter Spuhler, Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer ad interim of Stadler, said: “It is a great honour for Stadler to be able to deliver our modern and innovative locomotives to New Zealand for the first time. We thank KiwiRail for this contract and look forward to a successful partnership.”

Dr Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Stadler, said: “We are very proud to have signed our first contract for New Zealand and are fully committed to a long-term partnership with KiwiRail. With our wide portfolio of modular and customized vehicle solutions, green traction concepts, digital solutions and tailored expert support services, we indeed see the opportunity to provide further value to KiwiRail and New Zealand mobility beyond the delivery of the first project.”