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 WAB794 took over. In 1967 X442 was ‘released’ to the NZ Railway and Locomotive Society along with WAB794 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.