NZR R class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NZR R class were a type of early Single Fairlie steam locomotive used in New Zealand.
In the 1870s New Zealand's railway system was a small, almost fragmented mass of light railway lines built in rough country where short, steep grades and tight curves were common. In 1872, the first Fairlies arrived from England, the first members of the E class. Gradually the number of these double-ended engines known as Double Fairlies grew to 10, consisting of members of the E and B classes. There was, however still a need for orthodox engines with fairlie-like manoeuvrability. The Avonside Engine Company of Bristol, England solved the problem in 1897 by providing both the R and S classes of Single Fairlie engines. 18 of the former and 7 of the latter were supplied and quickly earned a good reputation. The R class was used on most sections, but the slightly larger S class was restricted initially to Wellington.
Over the years, the R class were used on almost all types of services just about everywhere.
They did have a few accidents, though. R 28 was running the Boat Train to the wharf at Lyttleton in 1907, when it ran the stop-block. The driving frame, wheels and engine took a dive into Lyttleton harbour, but because of the design, the rest of the locomotive remained on the wharf.
Gradually the R class were withdrawn from service in the 1920s and 1930s. However, some survived in industrial use.
R 28, ironically was sold to the Timaru Harbour Board, where she was used from 1934 to 1940 for, of all things, shunting the wharves! She was later sold to Burkes Creek Colliery, Reefton for use on their mining railway. Laid up in 1948, R 28 was later placed in Reefton's town park for static preservation, where she remains to this day. She is probably the only single Fairlie (known in the US as a Mason Fairlie or Mason Bogie) left anywhere in the world.
