NZR LA class

NZR LA Class
Opening of the Midland line to Stillwater junction, 1889. NZMRC No. 3 (LA 312) is pictured.
Power type	Steam
Builder	Nasmyth, Wilson & Co., (5 new) Avonside Engine Company (rebuilt L)
Serial number	311–312, 315, 322–323
Build date	1887
Configuration	4-4-0T; later 4-4-2T
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length	26 ft 2 in (7.98 m)
Locomotive weight	26.6 tons
Tractive effort	7,853 lbf (34.93 kN)
Number in class	13
Number	NZMRC 1–5 NZR 310–314
Retired	1924–1926

The NZR L^A class was a class of steam locomotives used by the New Zealand Railways Department and the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. They were built by Nasmyth, Wilson and Company in 1887 for New Zealand Midland Railway Company, and were taken over by NZR in 1900, when the government acquired the incomplete Midland line. Three of the locomotives were named - Reefton, Christchurch and Nelson. Three of the remaining seven L 2-4-0T's were rebuilt to 4-4-0T La's, then lately it was decided to rebuilt them further to 4-4-2T's and the four unrebuilt 2-4-0T's were rebuilt to 4-4-2T's and the other three 4-4-0's were rebuilt to 4-4-2T. Three brand news locos were also built to the 4-4-2T arrangement. Once all were rebuilt to 4-4-2T the La classification was dropped and all revered to L. L class locomotives were later rebuilt as L^A class also.

The former NZMR La's differed slightly from the NZR rebuilds. Two of these locos were used in industrial service, while the other three were scrapped, its reported that two were dumped in the Grey River. One has been recovered and is located in Springfield, Canterbury.

External links

• NZR La class