NZR ED class
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| NZR ED class | |
| Power type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | English Electric, United Kingdom (1) and New Zealand Railways (Hutt Workshops - 7, Addington Workshops - 2) |
| UIC classification | 1-Do-2 |
| Gauge | 1067mm (3' 6") |
| Length | 14.1m |
| Total weight | tons |
| Electric system | 1,500v DC |
| Collection method | Pantograph |
| Top speed | 88km/h, restricted to 70km/h |
| Power output | 925 kW (1 hour) / 670 kw (cont) |
| Tractive effort | 80 kN |
| Career | New Zealand Railways |
| Number in class | 10 |
| Number | 101 - 110 TMS: 15, 21 |
| Locale | Wellington region |
| First run | 1938 |
| Last run | March 1981 |
| Disposition | 2 preserved |
The NZR ED class locomotive was a class of electric locomotive used in Wellington, New Zealand. They were built by English Electric and New Zealand Railways between 1938 and 1940, and hauled mainly passenger trains on the Wellington region's 1500 V DC electrification, and banked freight trains on the steep section between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay.
The locomotives featured a unique wheel arrangement, 1-Do-2 under the UIC classification system, which was found to be hard on the tracks, leading to speed restrictions on the locomotives.
Contents |
[edit] Classification
Like all other electric locomotives in New Zealand, the leading letter of the locomotives' classification is E. There are two predominant theories about how the ED class acquired the second letter, D. The first is that it comes from the "Do" of its 1-Do-2 wheel arrangement. The second is from its original allocation to two locations, Wellington and Otira - Arthur's Pass, hence "duplicated". Official records provide no confirmation of either theory.[1]
[edit] Introduction
New Zealand Railways purchased one ED class locomotive in 1938 from English Electric, No. 101, for use on the newly opened Tawa Flat deviation, which incorporated two long tunnels. This locomotive was known as The Sergeant because of the three longitudional stripes on each side of the body.
The success of this locomotive led to the importation of locomotive components from the United Kingdom for assembly in New Zealand. A further seven locomotives were assembled at the Hutt Workshops and two at Addington Workshops for use on the Otira - Arthur's Pass section of the Midland Line. These locomotives were later transferred north.
[edit] Withdrawal
With the introduction of NZR DA class diesels on the Paekakariki via Pukerua Bay to Wellington electrified section in 1967, eight of the class were withdrawn from service in 1969 and scrapped. The remaining two were kept in sporadic service until March 1981, when both locomotives were sold into preservation. Ferrymead Railway acquired both units.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Sean Millar, From A to Y Avoiding I: 125 Years of Railway Motive Power Classification in New Zealand (New Zealand: self-published, 2001), 31.
