NZR B class (1874)
Encyclopedia
The NZR
B class of 1874 was the first of two steam locomotive
classes to be designated as B by the Railways Department
that then oversaw New Zealand
's national rail network
(the second B class
was introduced in 1899). Ordered from the Avonside Engine Company
in 1874, the locomotives were of the Double Fairlie
type and were the first British-built locomotives to feature Walschaerts valve gear. They were not the first Double Fairlies to operate in New Zealand, as the first two members of the E class
had commenced operations in 1872.
The first member of the B class, nicknamed Snake, was introduced in September 1874 and it worked in Auckland; it was followed by its partner Lady Mordaunt on 5 April 1875, which was based in Otago
. In 1876, the Provinces of New Zealand
were abolished and a national locomotive classification method was established, and it first split these locomotives into separate classes. The Auckland based Snake became the sole member of the B class in 1876; Otago locomotives were omitted from the national classification initially, but in 1877, it was necessary to include them as the Main South Line
linked the southern provinces. Despite Lady Mordaunt being almost identical to Snake, it was classified as the sole member of the NZR N class as Otago locomotives were classified by an inverse ranking of locomotive weight while all others were classified by cylinder diameter and number of wheels. Both of these methods of allocating classifications quickly proved impractical and were discarded; in 1879, Lady Mordaunt was reclassified as B class like Snake and they bore the classification for the remainder of their working lives.
The numbers allocated to the locomotives did not stay the same all their lives either. For example, Snake was initially B 10, then B 51, and finally B 238.
The two Bs proved unpopular with crews and they failed to generate sufficient power, thus leading to their early withdrawal from service. Snake was retired in 1890 not long after receiving the number of B 238, while Lady Mordaunt lasted another six years. With both locomotives removed from the Railways Department's books, the B classification was free to be used again in 1899
; the N classification was also re-used after it was vacated by Lady Mordaunt, by the N class of 1885
.
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
B class of 1874 was the first of two steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
classes to be designated as B by the Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
that then oversaw New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's national rail network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
(the second B class
NZR B class (1899)
The B class of 1899 was a class of steam locomotives that operated on New Zealand's national rail network. An earlier B class of Double Fairlies had entered service in 1874, but as they had departed from the ownership of the New Zealand Railways by the end of 1896, the B classification was free...
was introduced in 1899). Ordered from the Avonside Engine Company
Avonside Engine Company
The Avonside Engine Company was a locomotive manufacturer in Avon Street, St. Philip's, Bristol, England between 1864 and 1934. However the business originated with an earlier enterprise Henry Stothert and Company.-Origins:...
in 1874, the locomotives were of the Double Fairlie
Fairlie
A Fairlie is a type of articulated steam locomotive that has the driving wheels on bogies. The locomotive may be double-ended or single ended...
type and were the first British-built locomotives to feature Walschaerts valve gear. They were not the first Double Fairlies to operate in New Zealand, as the first two members of the E class
NZR E class (1872)
The NZR E class of Double Fairlie steam locomotives were two different types of Fairlie locomotive, and were the first classes to take that designation, followed by the E class Mallet compound locomotive of 1906 and then the E class battery electric locomotive of 1922...
had commenced operations in 1872.
The first member of the B class, nicknamed Snake, was introduced in September 1874 and it worked in Auckland; it was followed by its partner Lady Mordaunt on 5 April 1875, which was based in Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
. In 1876, the Provinces of New Zealand
Provinces of New Zealand
The Provinces of New Zealand existed from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. They were replaced by counties, which were themselves replaced by districts.Following abolition, the provinces became known as provincial districts...
were abolished and a national locomotive classification method was established, and it first split these locomotives into separate classes. The Auckland based Snake became the sole member of the B class in 1876; Otago locomotives were omitted from the national classification initially, but in 1877, it was necessary to include them as the Main South Line
Main South Line
The Main South Line, sometimes referred to as part of the South Island Main Trunk Railway, is a railroad line that runs north and south from Lyttelton in New Zealand through Christchurch and along the east coast of the South Island to Invercargill via Dunedin...
linked the southern provinces. Despite Lady Mordaunt being almost identical to Snake, it was classified as the sole member of the NZR N class as Otago locomotives were classified by an inverse ranking of locomotive weight while all others were classified by cylinder diameter and number of wheels. Both of these methods of allocating classifications quickly proved impractical and were discarded; in 1879, Lady Mordaunt was reclassified as B class like Snake and they bore the classification for the remainder of their working lives.
The numbers allocated to the locomotives did not stay the same all their lives either. For example, Snake was initially B 10, then B 51, and finally B 238.
The two Bs proved unpopular with crews and they failed to generate sufficient power, thus leading to their early withdrawal from service. Snake was retired in 1890 not long after receiving the number of B 238, while Lady Mordaunt lasted another six years. With both locomotives removed from the Railways Department's books, the B classification was free to be used again in 1899
NZR B class (1899)
The B class of 1899 was a class of steam locomotives that operated on New Zealand's national rail network. An earlier B class of Double Fairlies had entered service in 1874, but as they had departed from the ownership of the New Zealand Railways by the end of 1896, the B classification was free...
; the N classification was also re-used after it was vacated by Lady Mordaunt, by the N class of 1885
NZR N class
The N class were 12 steam locomotives that operated on the national rail network of New Zealand. They were built in three batches, including one batch of two engines for the private Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, the WMR, by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1885, 1891, and 1901...
.