NZR E class (1872)

NZR E class (1872)
Technical specifications
Designer(s)	Robert F. Fairlie
Manufacturer(s)	Vulcan Foundry
Build date	1872
Total produced	2
Classification	Fairlie Locomotive
Rail gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Cylinders	Two, Outside
Boiler pressure	130 lbf/in2 (900 kPa)
Fuel type	Coal
Performance figures
Tractive effort	8,000 lbf (35.59 kN)
Disposition details
Preserved	1
Disposition	Only one, Josephine, is reserved

The New Zealand Railways Department (NZR) E Class of 1872 was comprised of two different 0-4-4-0T Double Fairlie steam locomotives that were used on New Zealand's railway network.

They 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. The other Double Fairlie class was the B class, and there were also the Single Fairlie R and S classes

History

In 1872, two locomotives were ordered by the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway Company ("D&PCR Co") to operate trains on the newly built Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway. Robert F. Fairlie, a consulting engineer at the time, persuaded the railway to order locomotives based off of his Double Fairlie design.

The two locomotives were built by the Vulcan Foundry in England, and were then shipped to New Zealand in parts. No. 2 "Josephine" was assembled first on September 11, 1872 and was used to help finish the construction of the line while the other locomotive, No. 1 "Rose", was completed.

At the official opening of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, "Rose" hauled the first official train. Both locomotives continued in service until the railway was amalgamated into the Government system, becoming class "E" and gaining Otago section numbers. Even though these two had gained a reputation of being known as unspectacular performers by crews, they did provide a good and reliable service. Unfortunately the complexity resulting from the fact that they had double the moving parts of a normal locomotive led to maintenance difficulties.

Withdrawal and Preservation

"Rose" suffered an accident on September 20, 1878, and was dismantled at Hillside Railway Shops.

"Josephine" on the other hand has survived. In 1917 it was declared surplus by the Public Works Department and was sold for scrap to the Otago Iron Rolling Mills at Burnside in Dunedin.

In 1926, the owners of the Otago Iron Rolling Mills, donated the historic locomotive to The Otago Settlers Association. She was displayed in a railed off enclosure outside of the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum adjacent to the Dunedin Railway Station which caused the locomotive to deteriorate in the elements over time. In the 1960s she was cosmetically restored once again and was safely placed inside the museum behind a large glass window.

"Josephine" still resides at the museum to this day on static display with no current plans to restore her to operational condition.

Gallery