NZR Locomotives
A summary of published research
The history of the locomotives used by the New Zealand Government 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 intended to be able to be expanded to capture any level of detail desired about New Zealand railway locomotives.
The very early railway development in New Zealand was authorised by the Provincial Councils of the time, and all independent of each other, so any numbering of locomotives was also without any consideration of how things might develop in the future. It was also a period when locomotives tended to get allocated names, with some some rules around what types of locomotives received what type of name. By the time the Provincial Governments were abolished in 1876, a structure for a national railway network was already taking shape but it was not until two years later when the Railways Department and the Public Works Department were separated as two separate entities, the Railway Department in charge of running trains and the Public Works Department in charge of building railway lines (among other things), that serious thought was given to how such things as a national locomotive numbering system could be established. Given the haphazard start to railways in New Zealand, and the time that has elapsed since then, it is little wonder that understanding all the steps along the way could become a challenging task, one that was ultimately taken up by a number of different researchers.
The earliest formal publication devoted to NZR locomotives was curiously published in the U.S.A., the work of Tom McGavin, summarising the results of the work of several NZR&LS members. An address was given to Society members by Tom in 1950 and a duplicated transcript of the talk made available. An expanded version of that, with illustrations, was then published by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in their "Bulletin 81" in the U.S.A. The work was titled ["The Steam Locomotives of New Zealand Government Railways 1872 - 1949"]. From this came the first New Zealand publication, "Steam Locomotives of New Zealand Since 1863" (1st edition 1950) with a second revised and enlarged edition in 1961. A complete update of the material covered by these early publications resulted in a set of three new volumes, Part one by T.A. McGavin dealing with 1863 - 1900, the other two by E.J. McClare, Part two dealing with 1900 - 1930 and Part three 1930 - 1971. These booklets still provide a very handy ready reference of the various steam locomotive types used throughout NZR's history.
The first attempt to document all the steam locomotives used on New Zealand railways was carried out by Bill LLoyd, and presented in a publication "NZR Steam Locomotive Lists 1880 - 1957". This was issued by the Railway and Locomotive Society as Supplement No.5 to their quarterly publication "The New Zealand Railway Observer". This first list was however not a complete story as it used the 1880 locomotive list (issued as an appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives) as a starting point, with no attempt to unravel and reconcile any earlier numbering systems. A further 10 years of research resulted in the publication of the first formal attempt to provide a complete register. The "Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives, published in 1974. 27 years later after much further research, an enlarged and revised edition was published in 2002. Both these edition are serious reference works, listing every locomotive of every class that worked on Government railway lines.
At the time of the centenary of New Zealand railways in 1963, a new work was published as a historical record of all classes of locomotives used by the New Zealand Government Railways, including Steam, Electric and Diesel. This was a collaborative effort by A. N. Palmer and W. W. Stewart and was titled "Cavalcade of New Zealand Locomotives" this is still a very useful reference, outlining all the locomotive types from 1863 to 1955 for the 1st edition, and to 1965 for the 2nd edition with a convenient Locomotive index and list of builders at the back.
As if to formally close off the Steam era, in 2011, Sean Miller published an extensive work titled "The NZR Steam Locomotive". This beautifully presented reference work covers each locomotive type, including a short section on unclassified locos, steam railcars etc. It has many fine illustrations but does lack some details you would expect to be able to find in such a well presented publications.
During the early 1960's, Peter Dyer was busy compiling data on the Public Works Department steam locomotives, a more challenging task given the dearth of early records that existed. He subsequently published a booklet in 1966 titled "Steam Locomotives of the New Zealand Public Works Department".
A separate branch of locomotive research was carried out by Gerald Petrie, looking at steam locomotives in New Zealand other than those operated by NZR. This resulted in the publication of "New Zealand Steam Locomotives by Official Number" in 1993. This was followed 3 years later by "In the Beginning", a detailed look at all locomotive data between 1863 and 1877 in an attempt to unravel most of the mysteries that surrounded certain old locomotives. Then in 2007 a detailed analysis of all available data relating to the early numbering of New Zealand Railways locomotives "Locomotive Numbering from 1890 back to 1863 - The Evidence". This is a fully documented research effort with scanned copies of all early documents found to support the conclusions reached.
While the focus of the above publications has really been on steam locomotives, soon after Tom McGavin's first publications he started producing what became a series of booklets reviewing all the motive power that was in use by NZR. While the titles varied a bit, they seemed to settle on "NZR Locomotives and Railcars" with a new issue every few years between 1953 and 1990. Among those issues there were also one publication called "NZR Locomotives", a Railmac publication from 1981, and two more extensive 'pocket' books compiled by Geoffrey Churchman from 1988 and 1992. These smaller format books listed all operating locomotives in New Zealand and grouped by NZR, Industrial and Museum.There was also a 1980 publication by E. J. McClare dedicated to diesels titled "New Zealand railways Diesels". In 2002 David Parsons published a book titled New Zealand Motive Power 2002 that reviewed each class of locomotive in use at that time. This was followed up with an updated version in 2018, so altogether there is a pretty comprehensive record of all railway motive power in New Zealand.
Locomotive Classification
The study of locomotive classification attempts to come to an understanding of why particular locomotive groups received the classification letters they ended up with, and why particular numbers were allocated to particular locomotives, perhaps not so important to the general rail-fan, but a fascinating conundrum to the serious researcher. Sean Millar made this his particular challenge and in 2001 he published a slightly controversial book titled "From A to Y excluding I", which was a first attempt at researching locomotive classification and included a fair bit of speculation where no hard evidence could be sourced, and yet a conclusion wanted to be reached. This was followed in 2018 by a new work, "Classifying New Zealand's Locomotives" being a more serious look at the classification issue and includes the diesel and electric locomotives.
There is of course much more published material available, particularly articles in periodicals like the Observer and Railfan, however these tend to look at individual locomotive classes rather than the collection as a whole. it is hoped that descriptions of these articles too will eventually be included in this wiki to help researchers locate all relevant material.
Locomotive Types
A locomotive's wheel arrangement can be described in a number of different ways, for steam locomotives, the system commonly used in New Zealand is known at the Whyte System where a sequence of numbers, separated by dashes, denotes the wheel arrangement e.g. 4-6-2. Appended to this code can be a series of letters to signify that it is a particular kind of tank locomotive e.g. 0-4-2ST. Apart from the number/letter code, some steam locomotives also had names for the particular type of wheel arrangement e.g. 4-6-2 was also known as a 'Pacific'. There is a second system used primarily in Europe so known as the Continental System and caters for steam, diesel and electric locomotives within the one system. Here in New Zealand we use that system for defining our diesel and electric locomotives, so we need to understand two systems to be able to record the wheel arrangement of any locomotive in New Zealand.
Tables of NZ Locomotive Classes
Steam Locomotives
| Class | Originally | Type | No Built | Builder | Start Year | End Year | Weight | Tractive Effort | Boiler Pres | Drivers | Cylinders | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0-4-0T | 12 | Dubs | 1874/5 | 1906 | 11 | 3,072 | 120 | 30 | 2/ 8 x 15 | 17'-11" | |
| 2 | Yorkshire | 1875 | ||||||||||
| A | 0-4-0T | 3 | Mills | 1875 | 1885 | 8 | 3,413 | 100 | 24 | 2/ 8 x 16 | 16'-6" | |
| A | 0-4-0ST | 2 | Shanks | 1876 | 1882 | 10 | 3,004 | 110 | 30 | 2/ 8 x 16 | unknown | |
| A | 4-6-2 | 8 | Addington | 1906-8 | 1969 | 76.5 | 17,000 | 225 | 54 | 2/ 12 x 22 + 2/ 19 x 22 | 57'-2" | |
| 50 | Price | 1907-14 | ||||||||||
| Aa | 4-6-2 | 10 | Baldwin | 1915 | 1957 | 88.5 | 21,580 | 170 | 49 | 2/ 18 x 24 | 58'-5" | |
| Ab | 4-6-2 | 38 | Addington | 1915-24 | 1969 | 84.7 | 20,030 | 180 | 54 | 2/ 17 x 26 | 62'-5" | |
| 83 | North British | |||||||||||
| 20 | Price | |||||||||||
| ex Wab | 11 | Hillside |
ex A class
4-6-2
1
77
20,030
180
54
2/ 17 x 26
56'-10"
ex A class
4-6-2
30
reclassification
80.55
20,060
190
54
2/ 18 x 22
57'-2"
0-4-4-0T
2
1874
1896
28
6,912
130
39
4/ 9 x 16
31'-2"
4-8-0
4
1899
1967
65
18,662
175
42.25
2/ 16 x 22
51'-9"
6
4-8-0
10
1911
1969
69.4
18,550
175
42.5
2/ 16 x 22
52'-3"
4-8-0
30
1915
1968
69
20,940
175
42.5
2/ 17 x 22
52'-8"
2-8-2
1
1908
1927
71.4
16,080
200
43
2/11.5 x 20 + 2/19 x 20
55'-7"
0-4-0ST
16
1874
1922
15.7
5,198
120
30
2/ 9.5 x 18
21'-3"
1875
ex C 0-4-0
16
2-6-2
12
1930
1968
66.5
15,330
200
45
2/ 14 x 22
54'-6"
12
2-4-0T
17
1874
1927
14.7
4,693
130
36
2/ 9.5 x 18
21'-6"
5
11
0-4-0T
1930
1936
25.7
5,600
300
42
4/ 7 x 10
22'-4"
Ex D&PCR
0-4-4-0T
2
1873
1899
28
8,320
130
45
4/ 10 x 18
32'-10"
0-4-4-0T
6
1875
1899
34
9,600
130
39
4/ 10 x 18
34'-2"
2-6-6-0T
1
1906
1917
65.8
24,200
200
36.5
4/ 9.5 x 18 + 4/16 x 18
39'-9"
0-6-0ST
26
1873
1964
19.2
5,733
130
36
2/ 10.5 x 18
32'-4"
1
21
12
12
5
11
ex F class
0-6-0T
5
1892
1943
24
9,090
160
36.5
2/ 12 x 18
23'-4"
3
4
13 ex Fb class
0-6-2T
12
reclassification
1905
1943
29.3
9,090
160
36.5
2/ 12 x 18
27'-1"
6
1902-3
ex F class
1
ex Fa class
0-6-2T
13
recassification
1900-5
1905
29.3
9,090
160
36.5
2/ 12 x 18
27'-1"
4-4-0ST
4
1875
1919
18.2
5,733
130
36
4/ 10.5 x 18
4-6-2+2-6-4
3
1929
1937
145.8
51,584
200
57
6/ 16.5 x 24
84'-4"
ex G class
4-6-2
6
1937
1956
98.5
25,792
200
57
3/ 16.5 x 24
64'-6"
0-4-2T
4
1877
1956
34
19,510
130
32 + 23.5
2/14 x 16 + 2/12 x 14
24'-1"
2
36
2-6-0
6
1875-76
1935
38
9,707
130
42
2/ 14 x 20
41' 1"
4
1879
5
1880
5
1880
12
1883-85
4-8-2
40
1939
1971
109
24,960
200
54
2/ 18 x 26
67'-0"
4-8-2
35
1946-56
1971
109.45
24,960
200
54
2/ 18 x 26
67'-0"
16
1952
Ex J class
4-8-2
12
1948
1971
108.9
24,960
200
54
2/ 18 x 26
67'-0"
2-4-2
8
1878
1927
42.5
6,240
130
48
2/ 12 x 20
45'-7"
4-8-4
30
1932
1967
135.6
30,815
200
54
2/ 20 x 26
69'-8"
4-8-4
25
1939
1967
145.9
30,815
200
54
2/ 20 x 26
69'-8"
10
4-8-4
6
1939
1969
147.7
30815/36815
200
54/36
2/ 20 x 26 + 2/ 7 x 10
69'-8"
2-4-0T
10
1878
1903
18.5
5,733
130
36
2/ 10.5 x 18
24'-1"
ex L(Av)
4-4-2T
2
1899
1939
31.5
7,806
160
42.5
2/ 12 x 18
29'-9"
1
1900
1
ex L (Av)
4-4-0T
2
1900-02
1939
26.6
7,806
160
42.5
2/ 12 x 18
26'-2"
ex L (Av)
1
4-4-2T
3
1903
1939
31.5
7,806
160
42.5
2/ 12 x 18
29'-9"
4-4-0T
5
1895
1928
25
6,451
140
45
0-6-0T
4
1876
1928
27.7
10,240
160
42
2/ 12.25 x 20
25'-5"
2-6-2
6
1885
1934
45.2
9,551
130
49
2/ 15 x 20
49'-2
ex WMR
2
1895
50.8
10,285
140
50'-2'
4
1901
54.2
14,660
200
48'-11"
ex WMR
2-6-2
1
1894/1908
1929
54.5
9,700
180
49
2/ 10 x 20 + 2/ 17 x 20
50'-10"
1
1897/1908
1929
57.1
10,800
200
50'-5"
ex WMR
2-6-2
1
1902/1908
1931
65.1
10,800
200
49
2/ 10 x 20 + 2/ 17 x 21
54'-10"
1
1904/1908
1931
63.3
52'-2"
2-8-0
6
1885
1922
45.5
11,700
130
36
2/ 15 x 18
46'-3"
ex WMR
2-8-0
1
1894/1908
1929
57.4
13,600
180
43
2/ 11 x 20 + 2/ 18 x 20
51'-8"
ex WMR
2-8-0
2
1888/1908
1931
57.6
15,717
165
43
2/ 16 x 20
51'-3"
ex WMR
2-8-0
1
1897/1908
1930
62.8
15,110
200
43
2/ 11 x 20 + 2/ 18 x 20
51'-8"
0-6-0T
2
Davidson/Hunslet
1876
1885
12
3,328
130
28
2/ 8 x 14
20'-1"
2-8-0
10
1886
1930
52.2
11,415
130
41
2/ 15 x 20
50'-7"
ex R&AFR
2-4-4T
2
1879
1901
29
4,719
130
48
2/ 11 x 18
35'-4"
4-6-2
13
1901
1957
72.1
18,340
200
49
2/ 16 x 22
55'-4"
0-6-4T
18
1879
1936
30
6,936
130
36
2/12.25 x 16
31'-3"
0-4-0T
1
Hughes
1876
1886
10
3,391
110
30
2/ 8.5 x 16
unknown
0-6-4T
7
1882
1927
36
7,705
130
36.5
2/ 13 x 16
33'
2-8-0
6
1880
1928
42.2
11,700
130
36
2/ 15 x 18
44'-10"
4-6-0
9
1894
1959
61.5
12,136
160
54
2/ 16 x 20
50'
10
1898
1902
57.2
14,591
175
49
2/ 16 x 20
49'-6"
4-6-0
6
1899
1937
62.2
14,591
175
49
2/ 16 x 20
49'-3"
ex U (Baldwin)
4-6-0
10
reclassified
1902
1928
57.2
14,591
175
49
2/ 16 x 20
49'-6"
10
1901
1957
58.3
16,670
200
49
2/ 16 x 20
49'-2"
4-6-0
1
Brooks
1901
1933
63.6
18,340
200
49
2/ 16 x 22
49'-5"
4-6-0
1
Richmond
1902
1933
59.6
16,510
180
49
2/ 16 x 22
48'-4"
4-6-0
10
1901
1959
62.6
18,340
200
49
2/ 16 x 22
49'-6"
ex WMR
4-6-0
2
1908
1930
66.8
15,280
185
58
2/ 16.5 x 22
51'-6"
2-6-2
10
1885/6
1927
51.2
9,551
130
49
2/ 15 x 20
48'-9"
ex WMR
3
1885
1927
52.3
10,285
140
2-6-2T
2
1889
1959
37.2
12,888
150
36.5
2/ 14 x 20
29'-5"
2-6-2T
5
1892
1962
37.2
12,623
160
39.75
2/ 14 x 20
29'-4"
6
1898
ex J class
2-6-2T
1
1917
1932
38.7
11,806
160
42.5
2/ 14 x 20
30'-6"
2
Newmarket
1918
1933
1
1919
1936
2-6-4T
1
1918
1963
71.5
22,260
200
54
2/ 17 x 26
44'-5"
10
1923-7
3
1923-7
ex Ws class
16
1932-5
ex Wa
2-6-2T
12
reclassified
1899
1957
40.7
13,412
170
39.75
2/ 14 x 20
32'-9"
ex Wa
18
1901
1936
43.7
15,780
200
39.75
2/ 14 x 20
34'-9"
ex B (Sharp)
4-6-4T
1
1902
1969
55.2
19,080
180
42.5
2/ 16 x 22
35'-9"
2
2-6-4T
10
1904
1969
43.7
15,330
200
45
2/ 14 x 22
34'-2"
16
15
4-6-4T
20
1910
1956
50
15,330
200
45
2/ 14 x 22
36'-10"
ex WMR
2-6-2T
3
Manning Wardel
1884-6
1927
32.9
7,846
140
37
2/ 12 x 18
29'-6"
ex WMR
2-8-4T
1
1908
1927
53.6
21,510
200
43
2/ 17 x 20
37'-2"
2-6-4T
1
1917
1932-5
71.5
22,260
200
54
2/ 17 x 26
44'5"
10
1923-7
5
1923-7
4-6-4T
50
1913
1969
51.5
16,910
180
45
2/ 15.5 x 22
37'
ex Wg class
10
1940
4
1950-2
4-8-2
18
1909
1957
94/95.15
45
2/ 13.5 x 22 + 2/ 22 x 22
56'-10"
ex PWD
0-6-0T
3
1938
1958
25.8
10,816
160
40
2/ 13 x 20
22'-11"