NZR G class (1874)

NZR G Class (1874)
G Class steam locomotive, NZR 55
Type and origin Builder Black, Hawthorn & Co (4) Build date 1873
Specifications Configuration: ​  •  Whyte 4-4-0ST Driver dia. 36 in (0.914 m) Adhesive weight 13.2 long tons (13.4 t; 14.8 short tons) Loco weight 18.2 long tons (18.5 tonnes; 20.4 short tons) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 9 sq ft (0.84 m2) Boiler pressure 130 lbf/in2 (0.90 MPa) Heating surface 486 sq ft (45.2 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 10.5 in × 18 in (267 mm × 457 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 4,893 lbf (21.77 kN)
Career Operators NZR Disposition All scrapped

The NZR G Class was a class of four saddle tank locomotives from English builders Black Hawthorn in the early 1870s. Like the similarly sized D class, they were an attempt to produce a passenger version of the highly successful F class. ^[1]

Origin and design

The G class was ordered by the Canterbury Provincial Council. They were derived from the F class, replacing the lead driving axle with a four-wheel bogie. It was hoped that the leading wheels would allow them to run speed passenger services at higher speeds. However the class suffered from poor adhesive weight, a driver stating that "it took the 'G' all its time to push its front bogie along, let alone pull a load". ^[2] They were followed by the L Class which were more successful as a faster F Class.

Service

In the early 1890s the locomotives were progressively transferred to the Picton section, where they were out of the way of the busy Hurunui-Bluff section. Their maximum load on the 1 in 37 gradient from Picton was six 4-wheel wagons. ^[3]

Withdrawal and disposal

All of the locomotives were withdrawn between 1915 and 1919 and were sold for further service in industry. One member from the Castlecliff Branch was subject to a preservation attempt however due to a translation error a Barclay steam locomotive, No. 1749 was sent instead while the G class member was scrapped. The Barclay locomotive is now at the Silverstream Railway in operation.

See also

• NZR F class
• NZR F^A / F^B
• NZR L class
• NZR L^A class
• Locomotives of New Zealand

References

Citations

1. Palmer & Stewart 1965, p. 32.
2. Millar 2011, p. 108.
3. Boult, A A (September 1960). "The G Class 4-4-0 tank locomotives". Railway Observer. 85 (reprinted Oct 2017): 160–161.

Bibliography

• Lloyd, W.G. (2002); Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971, Otago Railway & Locomotive Society/Triple M Publications
• Millar, Sean (2011). The NZR Steam Locomotive. Wellington: New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. ISBN   978-0-908573-89-9.
• W.W.Stewart (1970), When Steam Was King, REED
• Palmer, A. N.; Stewart, W. W. (1965). Cavalcade of New Zealand Locomotives. Wellington: A H. & A W. Reed. ISBN   978-0-207-94500-7.