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NZR WAB class

Field	Value
name	NZR WAB class
powertype	Steam
image	WAB 794 train near Woodville.jpg
imagesize	300px
caption	WAB 794 on its first excursion after restoration, with the Capital Connection rolling stock, on 31 August 2003.
builddate	1939
builder	NZR Addington Workshops, Christchurch (1+1)
NZR Hillside Workshops, Dunedin (12+8)
A&G Price, Thames (3+5)
locoweight	74 LT
whytetype	[4-6-4T](4-6-4t)
firstrundate	1918 - 1926
disposition	Scrapped, three preserved
numinclass	30 (16 WAB+14 WS)
weightondrivers	41.85 LT
wheelbase	33 ft
boilerpressure	200 psi
gauge
currentowner	Feilding and District Steam Rail Society (1)
wheeldiameter	54 in
cylindercount	Two
cylindersize	17 x
poweroutput	1000 bhp
tractiveeffort	22250 lbf
maxspeed	60 mph
retiredate	1967 - 1972
scrapdate	1969 - 1972
locale	All of New Zealand
fleetnumbers	687 - 798
length	44 ft
fueltype	Coal
watercap	1700 impgal
fuelcap	3.0 LT
firearea	33.0 sqft
totalsurface	1050 sqft
superheaterarea	183 sqft

NZR Hillside Workshops, Dunedin (12+8) A&G Price, Thames (3+5)

The NZR WAB class locomotives were steam locomotives designed, built and used by New Zealand Railways Department (NZR). Their wheel arrangement is described by the Whyte notation 4-6-4T. The locomotives were designed by NZR chief draughtsman S.H. Jenkinson as tank versions of the AB class 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive. Initially, the locomotives were separated into two classes, designated WAB for mainline work and WS for suburban work.

The remaining locomotives were kept in service until the last days of steam, operating short-haul mainline freight services and fast suburban services, particularly in Auckland. WAB 794 was sold to the Ohai Railway Board in Southland for running heavy coal trains. The locomotives were progressively withdrawn in the 1960s.

Introduction

The first locomotives, WS 686 and WAB 687, were built from the boilers, frames and engine units initially destined for AB 666 and AB 667. These entered service in 1917, WS 686 in Wellington and WAB 687 at Taumarunui in the central North Island. Fourteen WS class locomotives were built between 1917 and 1925: one at Addington workshops (686), five at A&G Price, Thames (799-803) and eight at Hillside workshops, Dunedin (764-771). All the WS class were converted to WAB in 1932-4. Sixteen WAB class were built between 1918 and 1926: one at Addington (687), 12 at Hillside (786-795) and three at A&G Price (796-798). In July 1922 the class was introduced on Auckland (until 1930 at Waitematā) to Papakura suburban services. Between 1947 and 1957, 11 WAB class were converted to AB class, following Wellington electrification, to reduce axle loads, for use on lighter lines.

Preserved locomotives

Only three examples of the class remain, with two in their original form as WABs:

WAB 794 was donated by the Ohai Railway Board in 1968 to the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society and was moved to the Ferrymead Railway, and displayed for the Rail 125 celebrations in 1988. The locomotive has since been restored and is preserved at Feilding, and has been used on mainline excursions and also on the regular Wellington - Auckland Overlander service.
WAB (former WS) 800 is owned by the Waikato Branch of New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society and was stored for many years at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum. Following the negotiation of a lease agreement, the engine has been moved to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for eventual restoration to working order.
AB (former WAB) 795 is preserved at Kingston, for use on the "Kingston Flyer".

References

Citations

Bibliography

References

"Wab794 - Technical Information". Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
(24 July 1922). "New locomotives. Evening Post".
(10 August 1922). "Improved facilities to Auckland's suburban railways".
(8 May 1947). "New locomotives. Otago Daily Times".
(26 August 1969). "Ab... Made History. Press".
"FDSR - Wab794 Information".
(6 September 1948). "First express ran seventy years ago. Press".

Info: Wikipedia Source

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