NZR J class (1874)
Encyclopedia
The J class were steam locomotives with the wheel arrangement of 2-6-0
that were built in 1874 to operate on the railway network of New Zealand
. They should not be confused with the more famous J class
of 1939. The original J class was the first class of locomotive in New Zealand to have a tender
; all previous classes were tank engines
.
and they entered service in 1874 in Canterbury
. Ten more were built in 1879, with a dozen more from Vulcan Foundry
in 1883. However, one was lost at sea during while being delivered, and a replacement was built the following year. They spread beyond Canterbury and could also be found working in Auckland
, Waikato
, and Hawke's Bay
. The J class worked well whether it was pulling a long goods train or operating important passenger services in the early days of the Main South Line
, but as traffic increased, it was superseded by more powerful locomotives and in 1917-18, four members of the class were converted to 2-6-2
tank engines to perform shunting duties in yards. By 1935, all 32 original J class locomotives had reached the end of their usefulness and were discarded, and sadly none survived to be preserved.
dumped withdrawn equipment. A locomotive dump near Oamaru
had five J class engines dumped there, Js 15, 82, 83, 116, and 117, although these locomotives have since been sucked out to sea, destroyed by the waves or removed from the seawall py protection works carried out by Ontrack in 2008/2009. This dump was also the location of WA 120, which was one of the J's rebuilt as tank engines. Elsewhere, J 61 was dumped cylinderless at Branxholme; 2 J class boilers and tenders still exist at the Omoto Racecourse dump site; and a J class locomotive is known to have been dumped along the Midland Line
between Cass and Arthur's Pass
, and the remains of which are believed to have been located scattered in a number of locations along the line. Currently the remnants of the Oamaru foreshore J's are stored at Oamaru Steam & Rail, with some parts having been disseminated elsewhere. It is also possible for another J to be recovered and restored to full working order, and although there have long been hopes for this to occur amongst the railfan community, so far no-one has undertaken such an endeavour.
2-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This arrangement is commonly called a Mogul...
that were built in 1874 to operate on the railway network of 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...
. They should not be confused with the more famous J class
NZR J class (1939)
The NZR J class steam locomotives were a class of locomotive used in New Zealand. Following the success of the K class on NZR main lines, there was an urgent need for a modern, powerful locomotive capable of running over secondary lines laid with lighter rails. Thus a new "Mountain" 4-8-2 type...
of 1939. The original J class was the first class of locomotive in New Zealand to have a tender
Tender locomotive
A tender or coal-car is a special rail vehicle hauled by a steam locomotive containing the locomotive's fuel and water. Steam locomotives consume large quantities of water compared to the quantity of fuel, so tenders are necessary to keep the locomotive running over long distances. A locomotive...
; all previous classes were tank engines
Tank locomotive
A tank locomotive or tank engine is a steam locomotive that carries its water in one or more on-board water tanks, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. It will most likely also have some kind of bunker to hold the fuel. There are several different types of tank locomotive dependent upon...
.
Operation
The first batch built consisted of six locomotives built by the Avonside Engine CompanyAvonside 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:...
and they entered service in 1874 in Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
. Ten more were built in 1879, with a dozen more from Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
in 1883. However, one was lost at sea during while being delivered, and a replacement was built the following year. They spread beyond Canterbury and could also be found working in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Waikato
Waikato
The Waikato Region is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand. It covers the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula, the northern King Country, much of the Taupo District, and parts of Rotorua District...
, and Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is a region of New Zealand. Hawke's Bay is recognised on the world stage for its award-winning wines. The regional council sits in both the cities of Napier and Hastings.-Geography:...
. The J class worked well whether it was pulling a long goods train or operating important passenger services in the early days of 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...
, but as traffic increased, it was superseded by more powerful locomotives and in 1917-18, four members of the class were converted to 2-6-2
2-6-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
tank engines to perform shunting duties in yards. By 1935, all 32 original J class locomotives had reached the end of their usefulness and were discarded, and sadly none survived to be preserved.
Surviving relics
Although none were preserved, relics of J class locomotives can still be seen to this day at sites where the New Zealand Railways DepartmentNew 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...
dumped withdrawn equipment. A locomotive dump near Oamaru
Oamaru
Oamaru , the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometres south of Timaru and 120 kilometres north of Dunedin, on the Pacific coast, and State Highway 1 and the railway Main South Line connects it to both...
had five J class engines dumped there, Js 15, 82, 83, 116, and 117, although these locomotives have since been sucked out to sea, destroyed by the waves or removed from the seawall py protection works carried out by Ontrack in 2008/2009. This dump was also the location of WA 120, which was one of the J's rebuilt as tank engines. Elsewhere, J 61 was dumped cylinderless at Branxholme; 2 J class boilers and tenders still exist at the Omoto Racecourse dump site; and a J class locomotive is known to have been dumped along the Midland Line
Midland Line, New Zealand
The Midland line is a 212 km section of railway between Rolleston and Greymouth in the South Island of New Zealand. The line features five major bridges, five viaducts and 17 tunnels, the longest of which is the Otira tunnel.-Freight services:...
between Cass and Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass
Arthur's Pass is a mountain pass in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand. It marks part of the boundary between the West Coast and Canterbury regions, 140 km from Christchurch and 95 km from Greymouth. The pass lies in a saddle between the valleys of the Otira River, a...
, and the remains of which are believed to have been located scattered in a number of locations along the line. Currently the remnants of the Oamaru foreshore J's are stored at Oamaru Steam & Rail, with some parts having been disseminated elsewhere. It is also possible for another J to be recovered and restored to full working order, and although there have long been hopes for this to occur amongst the railfan community, so far no-one has undertaken such an endeavour.