NZR E class (1922)
Encyclopedia
The NZR
E class battery-electric locomotive represented the third unique type of locomotive to be given the E classification in New Zealand
. The first was the E class
of nine Double Fairlie
steam locomotive
s of 1872-75; the second E class
consisted of a Mallet
compound
made in 1906; and as both were no longer operated by the New Zealand Railways Department
in 1923, the classification was free to be used for a third time when the small battery electric locomotive was delivered. This is the only time a classification has been used three times in New Zealand, though re-use happened a number of other times, arguably most notably when the A class of 1906
took the designation originally used by the A class of 1873
.
This particular E class was ordered for service on the newly electrified Otira Tunnel
section of the Midland line
and was constructed in 1922. In April 1923, English Electric
delivered an order of six locomotives: five EO class mainline locomotives that collected electricity from overhead wires, and a sixth small battery electric locomotive for maintenance duties. It was classified as E 1, had a wheel arrangement of Bo-Bo-2 under the UIC classification
system, and worked for the rest of the 1920s. Clearly not an exceptional performer, it was written off around 1930 due to the costs involved in maintaining its batteries. Instructions were issued for any equipment that could not be re-used elsewhere from the locomotive to be dumped locally. E 1's cab can still be found alongside the track just south of Otira. The runner wagon for E 1 was stripped of its batteries and found use at Addington Workshops as a general purpose wagon around the complex. E 1 consisted of a locomotive and a tender, each carrying 216 "Ironclad Exide" cells with a total capacity of 167,000 ampere hours at 400 volts. Four DK 30 self ventillating traction motors each of 44 hp were used for a total tractive effort of 6200 lbf (27.6 kN) and a maximum speed of 10 mph (4.5 m/s). It could haul 40 tons at 8.5 mph on the gradient of 1 in 33 that prevailed between Arthurs Pass and Otira.
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
E class battery-electric locomotive represented the third unique type of locomotive to be given the E classification in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The first was the E class
NZR E class (1872)
The NZR E class of Double Fairlie steam locomotives were two different types of Fairlie locomotive, and were the first classes to take that designation, followed by the E class Mallet compound locomotive of 1906 and then the E class battery electric locomotive of 1922...
of nine Double Fairlie
Fairlie
A Fairlie is a type of articulated steam locomotive that has the driving wheels on bogies. The locomotive may be double-ended or single ended...
steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s of 1872-75; the second E class
NZR E class (1906)
The E class comprised a single steam locomotive operated by New Zealand Railways from 1906 until 1917. Classified as E 66 and nicknamed Pearson's Dream after its designer, it was an experimental Mallet locomotive designed to work on the Rimutaka Incline...
consisted of a Mallet
Mallet locomotive
The Mallet Locomotive is a type of articulated locomotive, invented by a Swiss engineer named Anatole Mallet ....
compound
Compound locomotive
A compound engine unit is a type of steam engine where steam is expanded in two or more stages.A typical arrangement for a compound engine is that the steam is first expanded in a high-pressure cylinder, then having given up heat and losing pressure, it exhausts directly into one or more larger...
made in 1906; and as both were no longer operated by the New Zealand Railways Department
New Zealand Railways Department
The New Zealand Railways Department, NZR or NZGR and often known as the "Railways", was a government department charged with owning and maintaining New Zealand's railway infrastructure and operating the railway system. The Department was created in 1880 and was reformed in 1981 into the New...
in 1923, the classification was free to be used for a third time when the small battery electric locomotive was delivered. This is the only time a classification has been used three times in New Zealand, though re-use happened a number of other times, arguably most notably when the A class of 1906
NZR A class (1906)
The A class were steam locomotives built in 1906 with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement for New Zealand's national railway network, and described by some as the most handsome engines to run on New Zealand rails. The class should not be confused with the older and more obscure A class of 1873. They were...
took the designation originally used by the A class of 1873
NZR A class (1873)
The A class was the second class of steam locomotive ordered to work on New Zealand's national railways. It should not be confused with the more numerous A class 4-6-2 tender locomotives of 1906. Initially ordered by the Public Works Department for use in the construction of lines, the A class...
.
This particular E class was ordered for service on the newly electrified Otira Tunnel
Otira Tunnel
The Otira Tunnel is a railway tunnel on the Midland Line in the South Island of New Zealand between Otira and Arthur's Pass. It runs under the Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Otira - a length of over . The gradient is mainly 1 in 33, and the Otira end of the tunnel is over lower than the...
section of the Midland line
Midland Line, New Zealand
The Midland line is a 212 km section of railway between Rolleston and Greymouth in the South Island of New Zealand. The line features five major bridges, five viaducts and 17 tunnels, the longest of which is the Otira tunnel.-Freight services:...
and was constructed in 1922. In April 1923, English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
delivered an order of six locomotives: five EO class mainline locomotives that collected electricity from overhead wires, and a sixth small battery electric locomotive for maintenance duties. It was classified as E 1, had a wheel arrangement of Bo-Bo-2 under the UIC classification
UIC classification
The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is set out in the International Union of Railways "Leaflet 650 - Standard designation of axle arrangement on locomotives and multiple-unit sets". It is used in much...
system, and worked for the rest of the 1920s. Clearly not an exceptional performer, it was written off around 1930 due to the costs involved in maintaining its batteries. Instructions were issued for any equipment that could not be re-used elsewhere from the locomotive to be dumped locally. E 1's cab can still be found alongside the track just south of Otira. The runner wagon for E 1 was stripped of its batteries and found use at Addington Workshops as a general purpose wagon around the complex. E 1 consisted of a locomotive and a tender, each carrying 216 "Ironclad Exide" cells with a total capacity of 167,000 ampere hours at 400 volts. Four DK 30 self ventillating traction motors each of 44 hp were used for a total tractive effort of 6200 lbf (27.6 kN) and a maximum speed of 10 mph (4.5 m/s). It could haul 40 tons at 8.5 mph on the gradient of 1 in 33 that prevailed between Arthurs Pass and Otira.