International Railroad Discussion > "Kiwi Rail" U26C's sold.

It has been Known for some time that "Kiwirails' fleet of "Dx' class U26C's had been sold, with details a little thin on the ground. But it was recently announced that Private Rail Operator "Traxtion" in South Africa will invest Rand 3.4 Billion in private rail investment in south Africa. Part of this investment includes the purchace of "Kiwi Rails" "Dx" class, 46 in number."traxtion" will refurbise these units from the ground up, with new power plants,ect. the first batch of 10 will leave our shores in April 2026, follow by groups of ten the last group leaving in july 2026. These are being relaced by 66 "Dm" class 4000Hp power units being built by "Stadler" rail in Spain, a couple in service now.It is interesting that a number of our EMD "Dft" GL22MC were sold to this group, and were refurbised by them. Our U26C's are in excellent condition with ugrades over the years, and was a big factor in there purchase. i will miss them, being a big part of my raiload life until I retired in 2010. A couple of pic's Class leader "Dx" 2600 (series 1 group 2600-14 1971) and 2624 from Series 2 group of1976, all came with silver bogies) 

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Nice locos. The last ones in Brazil started to be scrapped now. Vale mining has one and it is sending it to the scrapp yard soon. Interesting that the U20C is very popular here,but the U26C were not so good.

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Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

I'll bet crews were not fond of that front mounted air horn.

Hello, Question for you, Are any of these being retained for the heritage groups?,
EG the 2 DXRs? Cheers Brian..

Brian. 
One only I believe. Going to who? maybe Nat Railway musuem?

I always did love the chug their 4-stroke prime movers belted out. Sad that I won't get to see them before they go, but I also like the new Stadler units. Excited to see them when I get back to NZ next year.

Thanks for posting the classic pics! If I remember right, they even had an idler axle for weight distribution when they were delivered, right?

Are these part of the 46 locomotives
and 920 freight wagons sale announced
recently? If so then the sale is not as
catastrophic as I feared, at least as far 
as locomotives are concerned. From
the number may I assume the two 
 DXR locomotives are not included?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/25/25 15:18 by SOO6617.