NZR Ob class
Encyclopedia
The OB class was the first class of steam locomotive
s constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway (WMR) in New Zealand
. The class consisted of two locomotives ordered in 1888, and they entered service in September of that year as WMR No.'s 11 and 12. When the WMR and its locomotive fleet was acquired by the government and merged into the national New Zealand Railways
(NZR) in 1908, the two locomotives were considered to be similar to the O class
but sufficiently different to warrant the separate OB classification. No. 11 became OB 455 and No. 12 became OB 456, and they ended their days working around Napier
. OB 456 was retired in September 1929, and was followed in March 1931 by OB 455, which had survived to be one of the final operating locomotives of WMR heritage, along with NC
461 and UD 465, both of which were withdrawn in the same month.
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 constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway (WMR) 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 class consisted of two locomotives ordered in 1888, and they entered service in September of that year as WMR No.'s 11 and 12. When the WMR and its locomotive fleet was acquired by the government and merged into the national New Zealand Railways
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
(NZR) in 1908, the two locomotives were considered to be similar to the O class
NZR O class
The O class consisted of six steam locomotives that operated on New Zealand's national rail network. Ordered from the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Pennsylvania in 1885, three arrived in time to begin work in December 1885, while two more were placed in service in January 1886 and the sixth in...
but sufficiently different to warrant the separate OB classification. No. 11 became OB 455 and No. 12 became OB 456, and they ended their days working around Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
. OB 456 was retired in September 1929, and was followed in March 1931 by OB 455, which had survived to be one of the final operating locomotives of WMR heritage, along with NC
NZR Nc class
The NZR NC class was a class of two steam locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works built for service on New Zealand's private Wellington and Manawatu Railway...
461 and UD 465, both of which were withdrawn in the same month.
