NZR WG class

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NZR WG class
Steam locomotive 492, Wg class ATLIB 307464.png
WG No. 492, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder NZGR Hillside
Build date1910-1912
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 4-6-4T
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver dia.45 in (1.143 m)
Adhesive weight 29.7 long tons (30.2 t)
Loco weight50.5 long tons (51.3 tonnes; 56.6 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Firebox:
  Grate area16.9 sq ft (1.57 m2)
Boiler pressure200 lbf/in2 (1,379 kPa)
Heating surface738 sq ft (68.6 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 14 in × 22 in (356 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 15,330 lbf (68.19 kN)
Career
Operators NZR
LocaleAll of New Zealand

The NZR WG class was a development of the preceding WF class of all purpose tank locomotive. Later in their careers most (14) were rebuilt as WW class. [1] The locomotives were designed by A. L. Beattie, who described them as a "large tank locomotive." [2]

Contents

In service

The locomotives were used on suburban trains in Wellington and Auckland. [2]

Rimutaka Incline

1917 photograph of W 480, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library. Locomotive 480, Wg class, type 4-6-4T, built by New Zealand Railways at Hillside.jpeg
1917 photograph of W 480, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

WG 480 was built by New Zealand Railways at Hillside (maker's no 104/10), and entered service in October 1910. It was altered for use on the Rimutaka Incline to assist the "Fell" locomotives cope with the military traffic to and from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces training camp at Featherston. The cowcatchers were altered to clear the high Fell centre rail, and it had an acetylene headlamp arranged to follow the alignment of the track on curves. The locomotive was written off in June 1969, and preserved at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. [3]

Withdrawals

All of the locomotives were withdrawn by 1956. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Lloyd 1974, p. 64.
  2. 1 2 3 Palmer & Stewart 1965, p. 100.
  3. "Steam locomotive 480, Wg class (4-6-4T type)". Alexander Turnbull Library . Retrieved 7 February 2020.

Bibliography