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This article is about the New Zealand railcar service and the railcars themselves. For other uses, see Silver Fern (disambiguation).

NZ RM class Silver Fern
A Silver Fern near Warrington, New Zealand
Power type	Diesel railcar (Passenger capacity: 96)
Builder	Kawasaki and Toshiba trading as Nissho-Iwai Company of Japan
Build date	1972
UIC classification	A1A - Bo + 2 - Bo
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length	47.4 m
Total weight	107 t
Prime mover	Caterpillar D398TA
Top speed	120 km/h
Power output	670 kW / 950 hp
Career	New Zealand Railways, Tranz Scenic, Veolia Auckland
Number in class	3
Number	Original: 1, 2, 3 TMS: 18, 24, 30
Locale	Auckland
First run	1972
Disposition	Currently in service

The NZR RM class Silver Fern is a class of railcar in New Zealand. The three air-conditioned and sound-proofed 723 kW 96-seater diesel-electric twin-set railcars were built by Kawasaki and Toshiba, trading as Nissho Iwai Company of Japan. The New Zealand Railways classed the railcars RM, like all other railcars.

They were introduced to encourage passengers back to rail transport due to competition from air and road transport. The class was named the "Silver Ferns" (a national symbol of New Zealand) because of their exterior was made of corrugated stainless steel, much like the overnight carriage train the "Silver Star", and replaced the three 82 seater Blue Streak railcars.

The railcars are most famous for their service on the eponymous North Island Main Trunk daylight passenger train between Auckland and Wellington between Sunday, December 14, 1972 and Sunday, December 8, 1991.

In December 1991 the Silver Fern was replaced by the Overlander carriage train. The railcars were transferred to the routes between Auckland and Tauranga (Kaimai Express), Rotorua (Geyserland Express) and in 2000, Hamilton (Waikato Connection), but they were not commercially successful and ceased on 7 October 2001. The railcars are owned by Toll NZ, and were leased from 2002 to Veolia Auckland to operate Auckland - Pukekohe commuter services on behalf of ARTA. That lease will expire in 2009, however there is a possibility that the lease may be extended further. They are available for charters.

The Silver Fern offered airline-style service onboard. Drinks, snacks and the morning paper were supplied to passengers. From 1972 to 1988 there was a lunch stop at Taihape for services in both directions. That was replaced by airline-style meals heated on board, and Taihape railway station dining room was closed, the entire station being later demolished and replaced by a shelter.

Level crossing accidents and other incidents seemed to be synonymous with these railcars and, on 18 August 1981, half of the first and second sets derailed near Waiouru. Four people were killed. The railcars were replaced by the "Blue Fern" for three years until 1984.

• Locomotives of New Zealand