F163

F163

F 163

Built: 1880 by Dubs and Co, Glasgow, Scotland for New Zealand Government Railways.

Configuration: 0-6-0 ST (Saddle Tank)

Gauge: 3ft 6in (1067mm)

Cylinders: Two

Bore and Stroke 10 ½ x 18 inches (266.7 x 457.2mm)

Axle loading: 6 ¾ tons (6.86 tonnes)

Driving Wheels: 36 ½ inches (927.1 mm)

Heating Surface: 385 sq feet (35.77 sq metres)

Superheater: N/A

Steam Pressure: 160 psi max (1103.2 kPa)

Grate Area: 9 ½ sq feet (0.88 sq metres)

Coal Load: 1 ton, (1.01 tonnes)

Water Load: 450 gallons (2045.7 litres)

Tractive Effort: 6960 lbs (3157 kilograms)

Valve Gear Type: Stephenson

Weight: 20 ¼ tons (20.5 tonnes)

Adhesive Weight: 20 ¼ tons (20.5 tonnes)

Length: 23ft 10½in (7.28 metres)

Operating Speed: 30 mph (48km/h)

Approx Power: 250 – 300bhp max (under ideal operating conditions)

This is one of nine surviving members of its class and the only one in mainline running condition. There were eighty-eight of these locomotives produced. They were used for mainline running in their heyday and some members of this class had the longest running careers of all steam locomotives in New Zealand. Some were still in active service in the 1960’s as shunting locomotives with Harbour Boards and freezing works etc. This particular engine has been operational except for overhauls etc since it was first used on the NZR in 1881. This class of locomotive is restricted to about 50km/h because of the small size of its driving wheels which effectively ‘gears’ it down. This locomotive was kept by NZR as part of its heritage fleet until 1993, when it was handed to the Rail Heritage Trust. In 2001, F163 was relocated to the depot of the Feilding and District Steam Rail Society (F&DSRS). F&DSRS are the current caretakers of F163.

www.steamrail.org.nz

X442 (yet to be restored)

Built: 1909 by New Zealand Government Railway Workshops at Addington, Christchurch, NZ.

Configuration: 4-8-2

Gauge: 3ft 6in (1067mm)

Cylinders: Four (all high pressure)

Bore and Stroke 13 ½ x 22 inches (342.9 x 558.8mm)

Axle loading: 11.65 tons (11.84 tonnes)

Driving Wheels: 3ft 9 in (45 inches) (1143mm)

Heating Surface: 1185 sq feet (110.09 sq metres)

Superheater 168 sq feet (15.61 sq metres)

Steam Pressure 215 psi max (1483.5 kPa)

Grate Area: 37 ½ sq feet (3.48 sq metres)

Coal Load: 5 tons (5.08 tonnes)

Water Load: 2200 gallons (10,000 litres)

Tractive Effort: 29,500 lbs (13,380 kilograms)

Valve Gear Type: Walschaert

Weight: 95.15 tons (96.68 tonnes)

Adhesive Weight: 45.6 tons (46.33 tonnes)

Length: 56ft 9¾in (17.32 metres)

Operating Speed: 30 mph (48km/h)

Approx Power: 1200 – 1400bhp max (under ideal operating conditions)

This is the only surviving member of this class. There were eighteen members of this class built. They were originally four cylinder compound engines with two high pressure and two low pressure cylinders. The bore and stroke of the low pressure cylinder was 22 x 22 inches. These were later converted to four cylinder ‘simples’ and the boiler pressure reduced, as detailed in the above table. This move actually increased their tractive effort. This class was primarily a freight locomotive designed for the steeply graded lines of the central North Island. They are restricted to about 50km/h because of the small size of their driving wheels effectively gearing them down. In 1944, this locomotive was sold to the Ohai Railway Board for hauling coal trains. It served there until 1955 when it was placed on ‘standby’ and W^AB794 took over. In 1967 X442 was ‘released’ to the NZ Railway and Locomotive Society along with W^AB794 for display at Ferrymead. It did not reach Ferrymead until 1978 due to delays along the way. It is currently on a heritage lease to F&DSRS for restoration to mainline operation.

W^AB794

Built: 1927 by New Zealand Government Railway Workshops at Hillside, Dunedin, NZ.

Configuration: 4-6-4 T (Tank)

Gauge: 3ft 6in (1067mm)

Cylinders: Two

Bore and Stroke: 17 x 26 inches (431.8 x 660.4mm)

Axle loading: 14.3 tons (14.53 tonnes)

Driving Wheels: 4ft 6in (54 inches) (1371.6mm)

Heating Surface: 1050 sq feet (97.55 metres)

Superheater: 183 sq feet (17 metres)

Steam Pressure 200 psi max (1380 kPa)

Grate Area: 33 sq feet (3.07 sq metres)

Coal Load: 3 tons (3.05 tonnes)

Water Load: 1700 gallons (7728.3 litres)

Tractive Effort: 22,250 lbs (10,092 kilograms)

Valve Gear Type: Walschaert

Weight: 74 tons (75.19 tonnes)

Adhesive Weight: 41.85 tons (42.52 tonnes)

Length: 44ft 5¾in (13.56 metres)

Operating Speed: 43 ½ mph (70km/h)

Approx Power: 1000bhp max (under ideal operating conditions)

This is one of only two survivors of this class, and the only one in mainline running condition. Thirty members of this class were built. These locomotives were designed mainly for suburban workings but because of their high tractive effort they were also used on steeper sections of line hauling passenger or freight trains. In particular between Dunedin and Oamaru and between Taihape and Taumarunui. This class of locomotive is capable of higher speeds than that mentioned in the table, however this is restricted by current regulations, to 70km/h in a forward direction and 30km/h whilst running bunker first. This locomotive was sold to the Ohai Railway Board for hauling coal trains in 1955. In 1967, it was “released” to the NZ Railway and Locomotive Society along with X442 for display at Ferrymead Historic Park in Christchurch. Due to storage and delays along the way, it did not reach Ferrymead until 1978. In 1997, it was leased to the F&DSRS on a 25-year ‘heritage’ lease for restoration to mainline operation.