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The NZR DG and DH class locomotives were a class of diesel-electric locomotives in New Zealand. Due a change in government dieselisation strategy 21 of the original order for DF class were changed to 42 DG class locomotives, being a 'half' version of the DF with only one cab instead of two. The English Electric Co, as they did with many of their diesel locomotives of the 1950s-60s, did not assemble them at the Preston works, but allocated the final assembly of build numbers 2254/E7821-2273/E7840 (road no. 750-769) to Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn and build numbers 2274/D353-2295/D374 (road no. 770-791) to Vulcan Foundry both English Electric plants. The South Island allocated locomotives were initially classified 'DH' because of their higher maximum axle weight and tractive effort. However, DG locomotives from the North Island began operating in the South with the introduction of the Aramoana ferry in 1962. As a result, the DH class locomotives were converted to DG class standards in 1968 and received the DG classification, allowing the DH classification to be re-used in 1978.
The DG class suffered from a number of defects, mainly relating to design deficiences in the engines and the standards of design of first-generation diesel locomotives worldwide, especially in relation to noise and crew comfort. Thus with the introduction of the DJ class in 1968 the class was usually relegated to "slave" status. The introduction of the new DF class further displaced the class.
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