NZR JB class

NZR JB class
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder North British Locomotive Works, Glasgow, Scotland
Build date 1939
Specifications
Configuration 4-8-2
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Wheel diameter 54 in (1.372 m)
Wheelbase 34 ft 10 in (10.62 m)
Length 66 ft 11 in (20.4 m)
Weight on drivers 44.45 long tons (45.16 t; 49.78 short tons)
Locomotive weight 68.55 long tons (69.65 t; 76.78 short tons)
Tender weight 40.35 long tons (41.00 t; 45.19 short tons)
Locomotive and tender
combined weight
108.9 long tons (110.6 t; 122.0 short tons)
Fuel type Oil
Fuel capacity 1,350 imp gal (6,100 L; 1,620 US gal)
Water capacity 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L; 4,800 US gal)
Boiler pressure 200 psi (1,379 kPa)
Firegrate area 39.0 sq ft (3.6 m2)
Heating surface:
– Total
1,469 sq ft (136.5 m2)
Superheater area 283 sq ft (26.3 m2)
Cylinders 2
Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Valve gear Baker
Performance figures
Maximum speed approx. 72 mph (116 km/h)
Tractive effort 24,960 lbf (111.0 kN)
Career
Number in class 12
Number(s) 1200, 1203, 1205-06, 1213, 1218, 1224, 1228-30, 1233, 1239
Locale North Island of New Zealand
First run 1939 - 1940
Last run 1964 - 1967
Retired 1964 - 1968
Scrapped 1964 - 1968
Disposition Withdrawn; 0 preserved.

The NZR JB class steam locomotives were all originally members of the J class of 1939. Built by North British Locomotive Works, Scotland, they all initially burned coal and wore distinctive bullet-like streamlining.

Conversion to oil burning

After World War II the railways suffered problematic coal shortages, especially in the North Island. Approval was gained to convert 12 of the J class locomotives into oil-burners, to burn heavy fuel oil which was available in plentiful quantities at the time. The conversion saw the installation of a two-nossle burner in the firebox, removal of the grate and ashpan which was replaced with a firepan lined with bricks, shortening of the superheater tubes in the boiler, removal of the spark arrester in the smokebox, removal of the brick arch, addition of the related controls and gauges for the oil burning equipment, and the tender modified to carry an oil bunker and associated steam piping. Similar to the K and KA Classes which were converted to oil burning at the same time, the JB Class utilized a separate, removable tank which sat in the former coal space. However, the full-width coal bunker of the J-type's Vanderbilt tender was cut down so that the oil tank was visible at the sides, with distinctive vertical supports below. The conversion process generally coincided with the removal of the streamlining, but not always. Once converted, the locomotives were re-classified JB in recognition of the conversion, however they retained their original J class numbers.

The JB Class in service

In service the JB class performed well, but did not distinguish themselves above the unconverted J class nor any of the other J variants. Some of the JB Class received cross-compound Westinghouse pumps in place of the twin single-phase pumps, but others did not. The JB Class only ever saw service in the North Island, as in the South Island coal supplies were plentiful. Some years after conversion to oil, the fuel oil being used became considerably dearer than the coal supplies then being sourced, and there was no longer a coal shortage. However re-conversion back to coal burning did not occur due to objections from the various railway Unions.

Withdrawal and disposal

Some members of the JB Class were among the first of the J 4-8-2 types to be withdrawn, due to the faster wear and tear suffered by the locomotives as a result of oil burning. The last of the class was withdrawn from service by March 1968, by which time steam haulage in the North Island had essentially finished anyway.[1] All of the class were scrapped, although many items from the locomotives were retained as spares for the other J type locomotives still in service in the South Island.

Preservation

No JB class locomotives were preserved, although the tender from JB 1203 is held by Steam Incorporated. In addition, preserved J class locomotive No. 1236 has been restored as a JB class oil burner by its owners Mainline Steam, although this particular locomotive spent its entire NZR career as a coal-burning J Class.[2] Preserved locomotive J 1211, also owned by Mainline Steam, has been converted to oil burning in the same manner as the JB class, but has not been re-classified to reflect that change.

Class register

Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul/Repair Scrapped
Number Builder Entered service Withdrawn Notes
1200 North British October 1939 July 1964
1203 North British November 1939 October 1964 Tender held by Steam Incorporated.
1205 North British November 1939 October 1967
1206 North British November 1939 May 1965
1213 North British December 1939 December 1967
1218 North British January 1940 April 1967
1224 North British February 1940 August 1967
1228 North British March 1940 March 1968
1229 North British March 1940 January 1965
1230 North British March 1940 October 1964
1233 North British March 1940 December 1967
1239 North British March 1940 March 1968

References

  1. Register of New Zealand Steam Locomotives, W.G. Lloyd
  2. The Locomotives of the Mainline Steam Trust, by Graeme Moffatt

External links