This locomotive was built for the Drewery Car company in 1954 and delivered to the New Zealand Government Railways the following year. It served at Lyttleton and Westport as its light axle-loading made it suitable for use on wharves.

The locomotive is powered by a Gardner 8L3 that delivers 204hp at 1200 rpm. It is driven through a fluid coupling and a Wilson 5 speed Epicyclic Gearbox attached to a marine type final drive. It was purchased in 1983 and transported from Christchurch. It required a full repaint and extensive electrical repairs but has proven to be a good investment. It hauls passenger services when a steam locomotive isn't available or passenger demand is low, and assists with shunting and work trains. Locomotives similar to DS 203 continue to perform excellent work for industries in New Zealand and in the other countries that this type were shipped to.