NZR S class

NZR S class

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Avonside Engine Co., England Build date 1880-1881

Specifications Configuration 0-6-4T Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Driver dia. 36.5 in (0.927 m) Adhesive weight 23 long tons (23 t; 26 short tons) Loco weight 37.5 long tons (38.1 t; 42.0 short tons) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 14 sq ft (1.3 m^2) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,103 kPa) Heating surface 664 sq ft (61.7 m^2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 13 in × 16 in (330 mm × 406 mm)

Performance figures Tractive effort 9,480 lbf (42.17 kN)

Career Operators New Zealand Railways Department Number in class 7

The NZR S class was a class of seven 0-6-4T single Fairlie steam locomotives used in New Zealand.

The locomotives were ordered by the New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) in 1880, and delivered from the Avonside engine works in 1881–1882. They were considerably larger than the earlier R class, and all saw service in the Wanganui district, with its abundance of sharp curves and grades. These two classes of Single Fairlies were considerably more popular with the engine crews than their older Double Fairlie counterparts, which often suffered frame breakages whilst operating in the Wanganui district.

In the 1880s despite complaining of a lack of motive power, the residing chief mechanical engineer T.F.Rotheram arranged the shipment of three of this class to the Western Australian Government Railways.

S class roster

Road number	Builders number	In service	Written off	Comments
NZR S class steam locomotives
212	1279/1880	13 Apr 1882	Mar 1927
213	1280/1880	17 Jul 1882	Mar 1927
214	1284/1880	20 Jul 1883	Mar 1922
215	1283/1880	18 Feb 1885	Aug 1891	Sold to WAGR. In service as I 25 1891-1900.
216	1285/1880	25 Feb 1885	Aug 1891	Sold to WAGR. In service as I 26 1891-1900.
217	1281/1880	31 Jul 1886	Aug 1891	Sold to WAGR. In service as I 27 1891-1900.
218	1282/1880	21 May 1887	Mar 1927

References

• Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971. pp. 59 & 158. ISBN 0-9582072-1-6.