NZR WG class

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]

NZR WG class
WG No. 492, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNZGR Hillside
Build date1910-1912
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-4T
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver dia.45 in (1.143 m)
Adhesive weight29.7 long tons (30.2 t)
Loco weight50.5 long tons (51.3 tonnes; 56.6 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		16.9 sq ft (1.57 m2)
Boiler pressure200 lbf/in2 (1,379 kPa)
Heating surface738 sq ft (68.6 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size14 in × 22 in (356 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort15,330 lbf (68.19 kN)
Career
OperatorsNZR
LocaleAll of New Zealand

In service

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

Rimutaka Incline
See also: Rimutaka Incline
1917 photograph of WG 480, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

WG 480 was built by New Zealand Railways at Hillside (maker's no 104/10), went into 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. Written off in June 1969, and preserved at Glenbrook.[3]

Withdrawals

All of the locomotives were withdrawn by 1956.[2]

See also

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

Bibliography
  • Palmer, A. N.; Stewart, W. W. (1965). Cavalcade of New Zealand Locomotives. Wellington: A H. & A W. Reed. ISBN 978-0-207-94500-7.
  • Lloyd, W. G. (1974). Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971 (2nd ed.). ISBN 0-9582072-1-6.
  • Stewart, W. W. (1974). When Steam was King. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed Ltd. ISBN 978-0-589-00382-1.


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