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History of D 163 + DM 27
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By John Vannisselroy
Introduction
Based on a 1936 design, 131 electric multiple unit coaches were built in Preston, England, between 1948 and 1950 for the Wellington suburban electrification. The order consisted of 40 motor coaches and 71 trailer coaches, with the motor coaches numbered DM 10 to DM 49 and the trailer coaches D 109 to D 179. They joined 9 motor coaches and 8 trailer coaches already in service.
Originally designed to run independently, or with up to two trailers, The motor coaches were fitted with cabs at each end. However the second cabs were removed in the early 1950’s with some coaches having them removed before being commissioned. The D coaches were only ever fitted with one cab.
In normal service a DM coach would operate with one trailer coach on the steeply graded Johnsonville line, or with two trailer coaches on other suburban lines. In peak period up to 2 further 3 coach sets would be coupled together in multiple to form a nine coach train, operated by a single driver.
DM 27 (TMS No.320) EE serial no. 1572.
On 20th March 1951 DM 27 was commissioned at the Hutt Workshops, DM 27 was returned to Hutt Workshops, after just three months of service, for the removal of the second driver’s cab from the guard’s compartment (known locally as the “dogbox”). It was received at Hutt on 26th June for this work and out shopped on 6th July 1951.
DM 27 received its first full overhaul at Hutt between 21st July 1959 and 4th March 1960.
Dm 27 received a second major overhaul at Hutt between 20th February and 24th June 1966.
It was returned to Hutt on 26th February 1969 for repairs to the bogie transoms after being involved in a collision at Pukerua Bay on 22nd January that year. Repairs were completed on 9th April.
The third major overhaul was carried out at Hutt between 30 November 1971 and 19th May 1972.
The fourth and final overhaul commenced at East Town Workshops on the 11th May 1981 and was completed on 4th March 1982. The coach had obviously been in a shunting mishap, as the work this time included repairs to the bogie transoms again.
D 163 (TMS No.2695) EE serial no. 1649.
The date D 163 was commissioned is not recorded, however in was in the weeks leading up to 20th July 1953.
It received its first major overhaul at Otahuhu Workshops commencing 22nd August 1960 and this was completed on 15th April 1961.
The coach returned to Otahuhu for a second overhaul on the 8th August 1966 and was out shopped on 26th November that year.
It third and apparently final overhaul was undertaken at Hutt Workshops between 6th September and 15th November 1974.
Into Retirement.
The two English Electric multiple unit coaches were purchased by two Wellington enthusiasts in October 1988. The coaches, DM 27 (TMS No.320) and D 163 (TMS No.2695), were surplus to requirements in the Wellington suburban area, and were to be written off to save maintenance costs. Built in 1949 and commissioned in 1951 and 1953 respectively, the two coaches have run an estimated 1,450,000 miles (2,320,000 km) and 1,275,000 miles (2,040,000 km) during their time with New Zealand Railways.
Dm 27 and D 163 were not a pair when running in Wellington. At the time of purchase D 163 was a south end trailer coach and had to be turned on the Wellington turntable to ensure that each end of the new pairing had a drivers cab. DM 27 had been the centre car of a three-car set and had no cowcatcher. Fortunately one was made available from another coach.
While the sight of a D coach tacked to the back of a goods train travelling between Wellington and Otahuhu Workshops was not uncommon, the sight of the two EMU coaches on the back of a goods train between Picton and Christchurch was very unusual. Several engine drivers came to have a look on the journey south.
The coaches arrived in Christchurch from Wellington on Thursday 13 October 1988, but did not take part in the 125 cavalcade the following Labour weekend. They entered Ferrymead Historical Park on Thursday 27 October and ran under their own power (so to speak) two days later, utilising Ferrymead’s newly commissioned 1500v catenary system.
The move to Christchurch was assisted by a 50% transport grant from the Wellington Regional Council, in view of the historical significance of these vehicles to the Wellington region. With Ec 7, Eo 3, Ed 103 and Ew 1806 the acquisition gives Ferrymead Railway an example of every class of English Electric 1500v vehicle used on New Zealand Railways.
The heyday of the “reds” is nearly over. D 163 and Dm 27 represent a class of 131 vehicles that have faithfully served the Wellington public for over 65 years. During these peak years (1955 to 1983) each coach would be expected to run up to 50,000 miles per year. Now the 30 coaches still in service (13 DM & 17 D) are used regularly only on the 11km Johnsonville line, as well as on some peak time Melling and Taita trains.
The two coaches have changed in detail over the years, loosing features such as the second cab in the DM and destination blinds. Other modifications include alterations to windows, internal décor, roof ventilators, and pantograph.
The repainting of DM 556 and it’s two trailers D 2130 and D 2411 have recently received much publicity in the railfan press. It should be noted that DM 27 and D 163 retain a number of features lost from the Wellington trio. These include: the fourth taillight; the style of taillight; the intercar walkways; louvers in the side doors; and interior features such as: red upholstery; seat knobs; and the unique curved “smoking at rear of this notice” signs.
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