NZR WE class

The NZR WE Class were rebuilt from earlier Addington built B class locomotives. In service, the first two were tried on the Rimutaka Incline, however, they lacked the required adhesion on the 1 in 15 (6.67%) grade. They were later transferred to Greymouth for use on the Rewanui Incline, where they were far more successful, on the line's 1 in 25 (4%) grade. It is not known if they ever operated on the Roa Incline.

NZR WE class
WE class No. 198
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNZGR Addington Workshops
Build date1902, 1943
Total produced3
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-4T
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver dia.42.5 in (1.080 m)
Adhesive weight35 long tons (36 t)
Loco weight55.2 long tons (56.1 tonnes; 61.8 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		17.5 sq ft (1.63 m2)
Boiler pressure180 lbf/in2 (1,241 kPa)
Heating surface1,037 sq ft (96.3 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size16 in × 22 in (406 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort15,780 lbf (70.19 kN)
Career
OperatorsNZR
LocaleWest Coast
DispositionWithdrawn, Scrapped

The three We class locomotives lasted until 1964.[1]

References
  1. Palmer & Stewart 1965, p. 81.

Bibliography
  • Stewart, W. W. (1974). When Steam was King. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed Ltd. ISBN 978-0-589-00382-1.
  • Palmer, A. N.; Stewart, W. W. (1965). Cavalcade of New Zealand Locomotives. Wellington: A H. & A W. Reed. ISBN 978-0-207-94500-7.


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