KiwiRail DM Class - Coal Train Trials to Bankside (HD)

During January 2025, KiwiRail's two prototype DM class locomotives, no's 8012 & 8029 made their first runs on the mainline under their own power. The first phase of testing was stopping and starting tests between Rolleston & Bankside on the Main South Line, firstly as light locomotive before progressively hauling rakes of coal wagons. We captured one of these test trains, running as TT91 on Thursday 30th January which saw the locomotives haul their first rake of 30 coal wagons, the standard length of a West Coast coal train. Enjoy some of the first views of these flash new 4000hp beasts as they are put through their paces, from running at line speed, to dynamic braking & getting away at full power from a standing start!