NZR Locomotives

NZR Locomotives

The history of the locomotives used by the New Zealand Railways (NZR) is both intriguing and complex, particularly during the early years. This is brought out in several published works which attempt to unravel the complexities of early numbering and classification systems. This page and its sub-pages are intended as a summary of some of that research.

Formal documentation of the history of NZR steam locomotives was started as a project by Tom McGavin who has published many booklets recording various aspects of NZR history, and was a driving force in the establishment of the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. This research resulted in the publication of a series of three booklets Steam Locomotives of New Zealand, with the first written by T. McGavin and the second two by E. J. McClare.

STEAM LOCOMOTIVES OF NEW ZEALAND

Part 1 1863 - 1900

The early history is dealt with in four main chapters

Part 2 1900 - 1930

Part 3 1930 - 1971

These boklets provide a ready reference of the various steam locomotive types used throughout NZR's history