NZR T class

NZR T class
Power type	Steam
Builder	Baldwin Locomotive Works, United States
Serial number	4660–4661, 4664-4667
Build date	1879
Total produced	6
Configuration	2-8-0
UIC classification	1′D
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver diameter	36 in (914 mm)
Length	44 ft 10 in (13.67 m)
Weight on drivers	23.0 long tons (23.4 t)
Locomotive weight	26.2 long tons (26.6 t)
Tender weight	16.0 long tons (16.3 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	2.1 long tons (2.1 t)
Water capacity	1,300 imp gal (5,900 l; 1,600 US gal)
Boiler pressure	130 psi (0.90 MPa)
Firegrate area	15.7 sq ft (1.46 m2)
Heating surface: Total	812 sq ft (75.4 m2)
Superheater type	None
Cylinders	Two, outside
Cylinder size	15 × 18 in (381 × 457 mm)
Top speed	18 mph (29 km/h)
Tractive effort	11,700 lbf (52.04 kN)
Career	New Zealand Railways
Number	101–106
Locale	All of New Zealand
First run	1880
Disposition	Withdrawn, none preserved

The NZR T class was a class of steam locomotive used in New Zealand.

History

By the late 1870s there was a distinct need for a powerful type of locomotive to operate the steep section of the Main South Line between Dunedin and Oamaru. As the success of the K class demonstrated the suitability of American locomotives to New Zealand's railways, an order was placed with the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1879 for six 2-8-0 tender locomotives. Based on a design already used for the Denver and Rio Grande, it was much less decorative than the K class, but this did not detract from its performance capabilities. The largest and most powerful locomotives in the country upon their introduction, the backhead of the boiler protruded a very long way into the cab leaving very little room for the driver or fireman.

In service

Because of its small diameter driving wheels, the T class was typically limited to a speed of 29 km/h (18 mph). Accordingly, it was usually assigned to freight trains. In their heyday, the T class generally hauled services on the Otago Central Railway and the Main South Line between Dunedin and Oamaru. Around the beginning of the 20th century, the class received new boilers of a Belpaire design, fitted with Westinghouse air brakes and two were moved north to Auckland to assist on the newly opened North Island Main Trunk Railway. Most were also fitted with steel cabs in place of the original wooden ones, although the design fitted varied from locomotive to locomotive.

As time progressed, more powerful, newer locomotives progressively displaced the T class, with the four South Island-based members of the class (103-106) known to have been relegated to the quiet, lowly trafficked Tokarahi Branch. A number of the class were modified for use as yard shunters. This involved the fitting of a tender cab and moving the tender body back on the frame to provide more room for the fireman.

Withdrawal and disposal

The first of the T class were withdrawn in 1922, with the last example withdrawn in 1924. Some managed to survive long enough to be dumped or have components dumped when the NZR started dumping locomotives for embankment protection in 1926.

Preservation

No T class locomotives have been preserved.

List of locomotives

Key:	In Service	Leased to ARTA	Withdrawn	Preserved	Under Repair	Scrapped

Number	Builder	Builder's Number	Entered service [1]	Withdrawn [1]	Notes
101	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4660	01880-02-02 February 2, 1880
102	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4661	01880-02-07 February 7, 1880		Transferred to North Island, modified for shunting. Dumped Westfield 1929? Exhumed during 1930's and sent to Japan as scrap.
103	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4664	01880-01-19 January 19, 1880
104	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4665	01880-01-09 January 9, 1880		Tender dumped in the Bealey River.
105	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4666	01880-02-08 February 8, 1880
106	Baldwin Locomotive Works	4667	01880-02-08 February 8, 1880	01924 1924	Withdrawn at Dunedin, last T locomotive in service. Locomotive and tender dumped at Mt White, 1926.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "T Class 2-8-0 Register". http://www.trainweb.org/nzsteam/t_reg.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 

• Heath, Eric, and Stott, Bob; Classic Steam Locomotives Of New Zealand, Grantham House, 1993