KiwiRail opened its new Waltham Maintenance Hub in Christchurch on 24 April 2026, alongside the presentation of new DM locomotives for South Island operations. The facility was built with a government investment of NZD 110m (EUR 61m), while NZD 533m (EUR 297m) has been allocated for the procurement of 66 DM locomotives from Stadler.
Of the 66 locomotives on order, 47 units worth NZD 372m (EUR 208m) will replace the existing South Island fleet.
The Waltham hub will carry out maintenance on locomotives, wagons and passenger carriages operating across the South Island. The facility is designed to accommodate work on up to 24 assets simultaneously and is equipped with electronic safety systems to prevent unintended vehicle movements. Solar panels installed on site are expected to cover around 50% of the hub’s electricity demand.
The new maintenance centre and locomotive fleet form part of a wider NZD 1.2bn (EUR 670m) government investment programme in South Island rail since 2019.