NZR W^G class

The NZR W^G class was a development of the preceding W^F class of all purpose tank locomotive. Later in their careers most (14) were rebuilt as W^W class.[1] The locomotives were designed by A. L. Beattie, who described them as a "large tank locomotive."[2]

NZR W^G class
W^G No. 492, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder NZGR Hillside Build date 1910-1912 Total produced 20
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-4T Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Driver dia. 45 in (1.143 m) Adhesive weight 29.7 long tons (30.2 t) Loco weight 50.5 long tons (51.3 tonnes; 56.6 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox:  • Firegrate area 16.9 sq ft (1.57 m^2) Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in^2 (1,379 kPa) Heating surface 738 sq ft (68.6 m^2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 14 in × 22 in (356 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 15,330 lbf (68.19 kN)
Career Operators NZR Locale All of New Zealand

In service

The locomotives were used on suburban trains in Wellington and Auckland.[2]

Rimutaka Incline

1917 photograph of WG 480, Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

WG 480 was built by New Zealand Railways at Hillside (maker's no 104/10), went into service in October 1910. It was altered for use on the Rimutaka Incline to assist the "Fell" locomotives cope with the military traffic to and from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces training camp at Featherston. The cowcatchers were altered to clear the high Fell centre rail, and it had an acetylene headlamp arranged to follow the alignment of the track on curves. Written off in June 1969, and preserved at Glenbrook.[3]

Withdrawals

All of the locomotives were withdrawn by 1956.[2]

References

1. Lloyd 1974, p. 64.
2. Palmer & Stewart 1965, p. 100.
3. "Steam locomotive 480, Wg class (4-6-4T type)". Alexander Turnbull Library. Retrieved 7 February 2020.

Bibliography

• Palmer, A. N.; Stewart, W. W. (1965). Cavalcade of New Zealand Locomotives. Wellington: A H. & A W. Reed. ISBN 978-0-207-94500-7.
• Lloyd, W. G. (1974). Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971 (2nd ed.). ISBN 0-9582072-1-6.
• Stewart, W. W. (1974). When Steam was King. Wellington: A. H. & A. W. Reed Ltd. ISBN 978-0-589-00382-1.