NZR WA class

The NZR W^A class locomotives were a class of tank locomotive built by New Zealand Railways (NZR). Eleven were built at NZR's own Addington Workshops in Christchurch and Hillside Workshops in Dunedin. Four more were converted from old J class 2-6-0 locomotives.^[1][2][3]

NZR WA class
Wa165 on Gisborne City Vintage Railway
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder NZR Addington Workshops, Hillside Workshops Build date 1892-1903
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Wheel diameter 39.75 in (1.010 m) 42.5 in (1.080 m) on rebuilt locos Wheelbase 22 ft 3 in (6.78 m) Length 29 ft 8 in (9.04 m) Adhesive weight 26.2 long tons (26.6 t; 29.3 short tons) Loco weight 37.2 long tons (37.8 t; 41.7 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2 long tons (2.0 t; 2.2 short tons) Water cap. 950 imp gal (4,300 L; 1,140 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 12.0 sq ft (1.11 m2) 11 sq ft (1.0 m2) (nos 120, 262) Boiler pressure 170 psi (1,172 kPa) 160 psi (1,103 kPa) (nos 120, 262) Heating surface 738 sq ft (68.6 m2) 556 sq ft (51.7 m2) (nos 120, 262) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 14 in × 20 in (356 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 13,420 lbf (59.7 kN) 11,810 lbf (52.5 kN) (rebuilt locos)
Career Number in class 15 (11 new, 4 rebuilt) Locale All of New Zealand First run 1892 Retired 1929-1962 Scrapped 1962 Current owner Gisborne City Vintage Railway (1) Disposition Withdrawn, 1 preserved

Three were fitted with brakes to assist descent on the Fell-operated Rewanui and Roa inclines on the South Island's West Coast Region. These were among the last in use.

Preservation

Only one W^A class has been preserved, number 165. The locomotive was restored by Gisborne City Vintage Railway in 2000.^[4]

See also

• NZR W class
• NZR W^B class
• NZR W^D class
• NZR W^E class
• NZR W^F class
• NZR W^G class
• NZR W^W class
• NZR W^S / W^AB class
• Locomotives of New Zealand