Observer24

Prev Issue Next Issue

Full Name: The New Zealand Railway Observer

Issue Number: 24

Issue Date: December 1947

Volume and Number: 4/6

Pages: 24

Page Range: 121-144

Cover Image: n.a.

CONTENTS

Society Notes

REPORT of Auckland Discussion on improving Passenger Services in New Zealand

ARTICLE: - The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway. - by T. A. McGavin

ARTICLE: New Zealand Locomotive Performance

• Ja_class_loco
• Kb_class_loco
• Ka_class_loco oil burner

Mr. H. H. Jackson, CME 1914 - 1919 Loco_Ab820 and Loco_Ab828's especially fast run with a 13 total Express departed from Frankton 16 minutes late got to Auckland on time in January 1933. 64.7mph over 2.3 miles average Papatoetoe - Otahuhu Loco_Ab804 with a 12 total Express departed Timaru 24 minutes late, but gained 10 minutes including an extra stop. Included 3.5 miles north from Bankside at 65mph

Locomotive Notes

• Loco_Ja1246 new ex Hillside 6/11/1947. Makers Nnumber 369/1946. Curiously, all Ja_class_loco's to date have makers dates of 1946
• Loco_Ab789, formerly Wab_789 ex Hillside towards end of August 1947 retaining Builders number 246. Since then, loco_Ab786 - 798 have also been out-shopped, with 791 and 795 being worked on and 793 expected to enter Hillside before Christmas.
• Oil burning conversions
  • Loco_Ka951 ex Hutt 16/06/1947, converted to oil burning and ACFI feed-water heaters removed and exhaust steam injectors fitted. Streamlining also removed. This was the loco that plunged into the Manawatu River and recovered piecemeal over several months.
  • Loco_Ka946 ex Hutt 26/06/1947, converted to oil burning and ACFI feed-water heaters removed and exhaust steam injectors fitted. Streamlining also removed
  • Loco_Ka952 ex Hutt 10/10/1947, converted to oil burning and ACFI feed-water heaters removed and exhaust steam injectors fitted. Streamlining also removed
  • Loco_Ka920 ex Hutt 7/11/1947
  • Loco_Ka937 ex Otahuhu 6/08/1947
  • Loco_Ka938 ex Otahuhu 29/08/1947
  • Loco_Ka960 ex Otahuhu 6/10/1947
• Loco Alterations
  • Loco_B306 ex Hillside 22/07/1947 fitted with Tender Cab with canvas side screens, cowcatchers, additional sand-dome for reverse running and a relocated dynamo.
  • Loco_Ba552 ex Hillside 7/11/1947 fitted with Tender Cab with canvas side screens, cowcatchers, additional sand-dome for reverse running and a relocated dynamo.
  • Loco_J1219 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 23/09/1947, and also had a vertical spark arrester fitted in place of the "Waikato" type
  • Loco_Ab835 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 27/09/1947
  • Loco_Bb636 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 30/09/1947
  • Loco_Aa653 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 5/08/1947
  • Loco_Bb623 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 5/08/1947
  • Loco_Ab660 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 13/10/1947, after receiving new Boiler_1361
  • Loco_C860 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 18/10/1947
  • Loco_Ww668 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 18/10/1947
  • Loco_Aa657 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 31/10/1947
  • Loco_Ab760 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 31/10/1947, also received a new tender similar to the converted Wab_class_loco's but with plain bearings
  • Loco_Ab752 had smokebox ash hoppers altered ex Hutt 8/11/1947
• Q_class_loco's. 10 of these 'Pacific' Class locos survive but only 5 are operational, it is doubtful if any will see another overhaul.The following list gives their status at 1. November 1947
  • Loco_Q338 Wash-out boiler at Dunedin Loco Depot
  • Loco_Q339 Operational
  • Loco_Q342 Out of Commission
  • Loco_Q343 Operational
  • Loco_Q345 Out of Commission
  • Loco_Q346 Out of Commission
  • Loco_Q347 Operational
  • Loco_Q348 Undergoing Repairs
  • Loco_Q349 Operational
  • Loco_Q350 Operational
• Observations from Thames (A&G Price)
  • Loco_A581 in for overhaul at A&G Price after the fire at Taneatua engine shed on 18/08/1947
  • Loco_Ab815 ex A&G Price 3/02/1947 after overhaul
  • Loco_Ab733 ex A&G Price 31/03/1947 after overhaul
  • Loco_Ab715 ex A&G Price 13/06/1947 after overhaul
  • Loco_Ab759 ex A&G Price 20/08/1947 after overhaul
  • Loco_Ab739 ex A&G Price 8/10/1947 after overhaul
  • Loco_Ab664 under overhaul at A&G Price expected completion mid November
  • TTT's Mallet loco has been sold to the PWD and has parts spread all over the A&G Price Works.
  • One of Whakatane Board Mills' ex NZR Fa_class_loco's is having a new boiler fabricated at A&G Price
  • Auckland Gas Company Loco (1912 Barclay No1270) is having her overhaul (started by Mason Bros Ltd, Auckland) completed by A&G Price which included a new boiler.
• Waikato Notes