The New Zealand EA class (later reclassified as EO) of electric locomotives were used on the New Zealand rail network between 1968 and 1997 on the Otira – Arthur's Pass section of the Midland line in the South Island, through the Otira Tunnel. Following reconditioning, three were used by KiwiRail's Tranz Metro in Wellington from 2008 to 2011 to top and tail Metlink suburban passenger trains as an interim measure before new rolling stock arrived. Four of the five locomotives were scrapped in 2013 with one being set aside for preservation. Introduction The class replaced the EO class of 1923, by then largely worn out, on Otira Tunnel duties in 1968. Like their predecessors, the EA class operated as a group of three, with two on standby at Otira. They were more powerful at 1,290 hp than the original EO class at 680 hp, and so could handle heavier trains. This was to prove useful when West Coast coal exports began in the late 1970s using trains of dedicated LC high side coal wagons. Standard operation of the EAs would see three in service at any one time hauling trains between Otira and Arthur's Pass. The other two locomotives would remain at the Otira electric locomotive depot, although any one of the two spare units could be sent to Addington Workshops for an overhaul as required. They were mostly used to haul freight trains, although they did occasionally haul passenger trains either on their own or in multiple with the diesel locomotive pulling the train. Originally the locomotives were classified as the EA class until the early 1980s when they were reclassified into the EO class. Withdrawal In 1987, demand for export coal necessitated the introduction of the CB class bogie hoppers on Ngakawau-Lyttelton export coal trains.[2] These hoppers were heavier than the dedicated LC high side coal wagons previously used, and this led to a reduction in the amount that three EOs could haul through the tunnel. In 1988, NZR began experimenting with the use of diesel traction through the Otira Tunnel, with the reallocation of DX class diesel locomotives from the North Island, redeployed following the opening of the North Island Main Trunk electrification. The experiment was unsuccessful, but it was found by modifying the DX class locomotives with low-level intakes and modified drawgear (locomotives modified in this manner were later reclassified DXC) and adding giant extraction fans and tunnel doors would be sufficient to allow diesel operation. The decision was made to decommission the Otira electrification which was no longer capable of meeting modern requirements and was also largely worn out after 74 years of heavy use. The Otira – Arthur's Pass electrification was decommissioned in 1997. As a result, the EO class was withdrawn and placed into storage. A farewell excursion was held on 1 November 1997, with two EO units at one end, and two DC locos at the other end.[4] EO 45 and EO 74 were moved to the Ferrymead Railway in June 1998[5] while EO 39, 51, and 68 were stored at Linwood Locomotive Depot in Christchurch. The trio at Linwood was stored outside, and became targets for local vandals, prompting Tranz Rail to move them to Ferrymead in November 1999.[5] Ferrymead could not store the locomotives either - they were kept out in the open on the main line connection beside the electric depot at Moorhouse station. With an eye to possibly restoring them for use in Wellington, Tranz Rail had EOs 45, 51 and 74 moved to the Picton locomotive depot for storage in 2004. EO 39 and EO 68 remained at Ferrymead, where Electric Traction Group volunteers repainted EO 39. The ETG had also operated EO 45, 68, and 74 on several notable occasions while they were there. Reuse in Wellington A locomotive at Plimmerton in 2008. In 2007, the three Picton locomotives were transferred north to the Hutt Workshops where they were refurbished for use by Tranz Metro on Wellington Metlink suburban trains as a short-term solution to increase capacity before the arrival of the Matangi EMUs.[6] The locomotives were fitted with new radios, Translog event recorders, a single arm pantograph which replaced the two pantographs on each locomotive, and a signal trip which applied the brakes automatically if they passed a red signal (as used in the Wellington suburban area). The electrical and control systems were unchanged. Externally their colour scheme combined their older red livery with the new KiwiRail red and yellow livery, plus white whiskers on each yellow front end. Two locomotives top and tailed six SE carriages owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and refurbished at Hillside Workshops, while the third locomotive was kept as a spare. The first such train ran on 8 December 2008. In October 2008, the two remaining EOs at Ferrymead, EOs 39 and 68, were also moved north to Hutt Workshops, where they were used for donor parts and remained unrestored.
Chessie-2101 For The Base Kiwirail For The Locomotive Roblox For The Music
