In October 2021, New Zealand's KiwiRail and Stadler signed a framework agreement for DM Class diesel locomotives under which 57 locomotives were fixed. In 2024, a follow-up order was placed for an additional 9 locos with ETCS. Additionally, 10 locos of the first order would get ETCS installed creating a batch of 19 locomotives to be used on the North Island. 47 of the type are now destined for use on the South Island. The locos are a very customer-specific design based on the SALi platform but also incorporate proven subsystems from, for example, the EURO 4000.

Since October 2024, 7 locomotives have arrived in New Zealand for use on the South Island. All first going through a period of extensive testing before final commissioning. It concerns:

October 2024
DM8012
DM8029

November 2025
DM8035
DM8064

June 2026
DM8058
DM8070
DM8087

Starkenberger 006 passes highway 215 near Kiel-Hassee. Picture by Jens Vollertsen.

Purchased by Starkenberger Güterlogistik GmbH in 2025, Maxima 30 CC locomotive 263 006-9 received an overhaul (REV 18.06.2026) and a new livery at Voith in Kiel. The loco can now be recognized as Starkenberger 006. On 19.06.2026, the loco returned to service and left the workshop premises.

On 11 September 2025, the loco was already wearing its new livery but still awaiting the completion of its overhaul at the Voith workshop in Kiel-Wik together with another Maxima locomotive. Picture by Tomke Scheel.

On hire to LTE Slovakia, CZ LOKO 744 001 passes Breclav with a freight train on 4 August 2015. Picture by Thierry Leleu.

EffiShunter 1000 prototype loco 744 001-9 has been sold according to a post by CZ LOKO on social media. After its duties as a prototype and demonstrator locomotive were completed, the loco was not sold but remained in the manufacturer's fleet. It was rented out to various Czech and Slovakian railway operators. However, times change. The loco is currently being overhauled at the CZ LOKO works in Ceska Trebova and will be delivered to an undisclosed new owner later in 2026.

Artist impression: CZ LOKO.

CZ LOKO has won a sizeable tender by PKP Intercity for the delivery of 18 diesel locomotives, to be used for the shunting of passenger stock and for rescue operations. The Czech manufacturer offered its EffiShunter 1000, which turned out to be the most attractive bid.

Neo Lox DE 672 passes Oberhausen, Abzweig Mathilde on 22 May 2026. Picture by Rolf Alberts

Neo Lox currently has a remarkable Class 66 in operation: DE 672. The silver base livery has remained, but Neo Lox logos are present on its fronts and sides now. Also note that the headlights have been modified to LEDs.

Picture: Heavy Haul Rail.

The year 2026 is a special one because it marks 40 years since the Class 59 was introduced in the UK. Heavy Haul Rail celebrates this special milestone by repainting the very first Class 59, 59001, into a special retro livery inspired on the original livery of the loco, combined with Heavy Haul Rail Limited branding. The loco was painted by Arlington Fleet Services in Eastleigh.

CZ LOKO has completed the delivery of 30 EffiShunter 1000M locomotives to ZSSK Cargo. On May 5th, loco 742 680-2 succesfully passed its safety exam at the depot in Bratislava. With this milestone, all 30 locomotives ordered by ZSSK Cargo are in operation. The locos were ordered in two batches (20+10) and are modernized CKD Class 742 locomotives. 14 out of 30 locos are equipped with ETCS.