NZR H class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR H class | |
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Avonside Engine Company, Bristol, England (4) Neilson and Company, Glasgow, Scotland (2) |
| Build date | 1875 |
| Configuration | 0-4-2T |
| Gauge | 3' 6" ft, 1067 mm |
| Length | 24 ft 1 in ft |
| Width | 8 ft 6 in ft |
| Total weight | 34 tons |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Top speed | 15 mph |
| Tractive effort | 19510 lbf |
| Career | New Zealand Railways |
| Number in class | 6 |
| Number | 199 - 204 |
| Locale | Rimutaka Incline, Wairarapa, North Island |
| Last run | December 1955 |
| Retired | 1955 |
| Current owner | (H199) Fell Engine Museum |
| Disposition | Withdrawn; 1 preserved |
The NZR H class locomotive was a unique class of locomotive used by the New Zealand Railways Department on the famous Rimutaka Incline on the three mile section of 1 in 15 gradient between Cross Creek and Summit, over the Rimutaka Ranges. The locomotives incorporated the Fell mountain railway system and had four horizontal driving wheels, between the frames, designed to grip a centre rail, providing the extra adhesion needed for the climb. The outside engines drove on to the rear pair of coupled wheels of 32 inches in diameter. The inside cylinders drove four spring-loaded grip wheels of 22" inches diameter. On descent of the incline, powerful hand-operated brakes bore against the centre rail and provided positive control over the speed of the locomotive. Additional brake vans, also equipped with similar braking gear, were interspersed at interval in the train to control descent braking. These locomotives were never required to run at higher speeds than 15 mph anywhere, and on the Rimutaka incline, their usual operating speed was between four and six miles per hour when ascending and about 10 mph when descending.
The locomotives were withdrawn in 1955 when the Rimutaka Tunnel opened. H 199, the first H class locomotive, was put in a playground in Featherston, but was later moved in 1989 to the Fell Engine Museum in the same town.
[edit] Preserved Locomotive List
- H 199 - Fell Engine Museum, Featherston, Wairarapa.
