Bridges negates KiwiRail claims

Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is refuting Dr Ian McLean's claim that the government is pressuring KiwiRail into buying diesel locomotives.

KiwiRail is looking for replacement locomotives for the electric EF engines that haul freight over the hump between Palmerston North and Te Rapa on the north island main trunk railway.


KiwiRail wants to replace its ageing mainline electric locomotives.

The 22, 3000kw/4000hp engines are the most powerful locomotives in the country, but at 30 years the performance is dropping off, and KiwiRail wants to replace them.

The Green Party is accusing the government of pressuring KiwiRail into buying cheaper diesel-electric engines without considering the more sustainable advantages of electric engines.

'The decision on whether to have diesel or electric trains is an operational decision for KiwiRail and they haven't made the decision yet,” says Simon.

'But even diesel trains are 70 per cent more fuel efficient than trucks, and so in either event we need to support rail in New Zealand.

'I think the protesters want strong railway to push people to see more freight and passengers off the roads. I agree with that, but KiwiRail will also be wanting to consider the economic impact of their decisions,” adds Simon.

'People are entitled to protest, but rather than staging stunts I think the Government is trying to create a sustainable railway in KiwiRail in every sense of that word.”

Rail is a very difficult business in New Zealand given the long stringy geography and small population, says Simon.

'We have to make sure it can work economically as well as environmentally.”

The EF class was built by Brush Traction in Loughborough, United Kingdom between 1986 and 1988 to run on the new electrified central section of the NIMT.

The total $260 million project also involved a lot of track re-alignment and bridge building in the central North Island.

The next big locomotive buy was the $80 million purchase of 20 Chinese built diesel electric locomotives beginning in 2010, with the last batch arriving in March 2015.

The most powerful diesels in the country are close to the power of the main truck electric engines at 2700kw or 3619hp.

KiwiRail has not yet replied to questions about whether it has trialled the diesel locomotives over the central north island plateau in order to compare performance.

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8 comments

Environmentally thinking ...

Posted on 02-07-2015 12:09 | By Murray.Guy

Environmentally thinking ... I'm not convinced which option has the least environmental impact. I sense that the modern diesel option may be less obtrusive visually (ugly structures and lines), more reliable in at risk areas (slips, power failures, etc). I'm mindful of the impact power generation has on our environment and the RMA hurdles put up by so-called environmentalists.


Murray

Posted on 02-07-2015 13:30 | By YOGI BEAR

See it for what it is, Government is paying so they are doing the saying ...


Bridges to nowhere

Posted on 02-07-2015 19:52 | By IanM

Mr Bridges may disagree, but he negated nothing by arguing that an economically-driven decision is sustainable in every sense of the word. Govt is under extreme pressure from the public to reduce our carbon production by a minimum of 40% of 1990 values. Any decision to invest in diesel for the next 30 years means the govt is thumbing its nose at that demand. Take the true environmental cost into account Mr Bridges, and it will be immediately obvious that electric is the most cost effective solution. You might also consider the operating cost when diesel goes to many dollars per litre.


Can we trust a MP?

Posted on 02-07-2015 20:41 | By dgk

The fact that Bridges is supporting rail is a big change for him and his kind. Although I'm sure he'll change his mind soon, just like with those Bridges up north :)


trust a MP?

Posted on 02-07-2015 21:46 | By YOGI BEAR

DGK, I think you have answered your own question below. The simple and obvious is that the two words can not be in the same sentence as that are completely unrelated.


Nice to have

Posted on 02-07-2015 22:31 | By The Caveman

Electric engines - YES, BUT have look at where some 50% of NZ's reliable electric power comes from - it isn


IanM

Posted on 03-07-2015 00:34 | By How about this view!

"Govt is under extreme pressure from the public" REALLY????? Does a group of seven represent "the public"? Any publicity is good publicity for you though, I guess.


You've Got It Caveman

Posted on 03-07-2015 08:21 | By RawPrawn

The Greens and their ilk seem to have the notion that electricity is magically conjured out of nowhere. With ageing networks and a lack of meaningful new generation investment we are only just coping now, without adding a whole rail network to the load


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