NZR RM class (Silver Fern)
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| NZ RM class Silver Fern |
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 A Silver Fern near Warrington, New Zealand |
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| Power type | Diesel railcar (Passenger capacity: 96) |
|---|---|
| Builder | Kawasaki and Toshiba trading as Nissho-Iwai Company of Japan |
| Build date | 1972 |
| UIC classification | A1A - 2 + 2 - 2 |
| Gauge | 3' 6", 1067mm |
| Length | 47.4m (articulated) |
| Total weight | 107 t |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar D398TA |
| Top speed | 120km/h |
| Power output | 670 kW / 950 hp |
| Career | New Zealand Railways, Tranz Scenic, Veolia Auckland |
| Number in class | 3 |
| Number | TMS: 18, 24, 30 Early: 1, 2, 3 |
| Locale | Auckland |
| First run | 1972 |
| Disposition | Currently in service |
The NZR RM class Silver Fern is a class of railcar used for rail passenger transport in New Zealand. The railcars are most famous for their service on the eponymous North Island Main Trunk daylight passenger train between Auckland and Wellington between Sunday, December 14, 1972 and Sunday, December 8, 1991. The class was named the "Silver Ferns" (a national symbol of New Zealand) because of their exterior was made of corrugated stainless steel, much like the overnight carriage train the "Silver Star" and replaced the three 82 seater Blue Streak railcars. The three 723 kW 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by Kawasaki and Toshiba trading as Nissho Iwai Company of Japan. The New Zealand Railways classed the railcars RM, the same class notation used for all other New Zealand railcars.
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[edit] Accidents
Level crossing accidents and other incidents seemed to be synonymous with these railcars and, on 18 August 1981, a one half of the first and second sets derailed near Waiouru. Four people were killed. The railcars were replaced by the "Blue Fern" for three years until 1984.
[edit] History
The Silver Ferns were introduced to encourage passengers back to rail transport due to competition from air and road transport. The railcars are air-conditioned and sound-proofed. In December 1991, the Silver Fern was replaced by the Overlander carriage train. The railcars were transferred to the routes between Auckland and Tauranga (Kaimai Express), Rotorua (Geyserland Express) and in 2000, Hamilton (Waikato Connection), but they were not commercially successful and ceased on 7 October 2001. The railcars now operate on Auckland-Pukekohe commuter services for Veolia Auckland, and are available for charters.
[edit] Service
The Silver Fern offered airline-style service onboard. Drinks and snacks were supplied to passengers regularly on the service, as well as the morning paper. From 1972 until 1988, there was a lunch stop at Taihape for services in both directions. That was replaced with the provision of airline style meals heated on board. The Taihape Railway station restaurant was subsequently closed, and the entire station demolished and replaced with a shelter.
[edit] See also
| Long Distance Passenger Trains of New Zealand | ||||||||
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