NZR H class

NZR H class
H 199 in the Fell Engine Museum, 20 March 2002.
Power type	Steam
Builder	Avonside Engine Co., England (4) Neilson & Co., Scotland (2)
Serial number	Avonside 1072–1075 Neilson 3468–3469
Build date	1875 (4) 1886 (2)
Configuration	0-4-2T
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Wheel diameter	32 inches (81 cm) driving 23.5 inches (60 cm) adhesion
Wheelbase	14 ft 3 in (4.34 m)
Length	24 ft 1 in (7.3 m)
Width	8 ft 6 in (2.6 m)
Weight on drivers	26.0 long tons (26.4 t)
Locomotive weight	34.0 long tons (34.5 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	0.5 long tons (0.51 t)
Water capacity	714 imp gal (3,250 L)
Boiler pressure	130 psi (900 kPa)
Firegrate area	13.0 sq ft (1.2 m2)
Heating surface: Total	858 sq ft (79.7 m2)
Cylinders	Four total two driving, two adhesion
Cylinder size	14 in × 16 in (36 cm × 41 cm) driving 12 in × 14 in (30 cm × 36 cm) adhesion
Valve gear	Stephenson (199 - 202) Joy (203 - 204)
Top speed	15 mph (24 km/h)
Tractive effort	12,550 lbf (55.8 kN) driving 11,000 lbf (49 kN) adhesion
Number in class	6
Number	199 – 204
Locale	Rimutaka Incline, Wairarapa, North Island
First run	1878
Last run	29 October 1955
Retired	March 1956
Preserved	One (H 199)
Restored	1981 - 1989
Scrapped	1956
Current owner	Fell Engine Museum
Disposition	5 scrapped 1 preserved

The underside of H199, showing details of the Fell railway system, 20 March 2002.

The NZR H class locomotive was a unique class of locomotive used by the New Zealand Railways Department on the famous Rimutaka Incline, the three-mile section of 1 in 15 gradient between Cross Creek and Summit, over the Rimutaka Ranges. The locomotives worked on the Fell mountain railway system and had four horizontal driving wheels between the frames, gripping a centre rail and providing the extra adhesion needed for the climb. The outside engines drove the rear pair of coupled wheels of 32" diameter, and the inside cylinders four spring-loaded grip wheels of 22" diameter. On the descent, powerful hand-brakes bore against the centre rail, and brake vans with similar braking gear were interspersed at intervals in the train. The locomotives were never required to run at speeds higher than 15 mph, and their usual operating speed was between four and six mph ascending the incline, about ten mph descending.

Withdrawal

After the Second World War, the locomotives were starting to show their age, and the New Zealand government was looking for a way to cut time between Wellington and the Wairarapa. On 7 May 1951, the contract to construct the 8.8-kilometre (5.5 mi) Rimutaka Tunnel was let, which spelled the imminent end of the incline, and the need for the H class.

The last revenue service for the H class was on 29 October 1955, when locomotives 199, 201, 202, 203 and 204 hauled a Carterton Show day excursion train up the incline on the return journey to Wellington. When the Rimutaka Tunnel opened five days later, the engines were put to work dismantling the incline that they had travelled on for 77 years.

All the locomotives were officially withdrawn in March 1956, and all except H 199 were then towed to Silverstream in Upper Hutt and broken up for scrap.

Preservation

At the opening ceremony for the Rimutaka Tunnel on 3 November 1955, the then Minister of Railways John McAlpine gifted locomotive H 199 to the town of Featherston. Following dismantling the incline, H 199 was stored at Woburn for three years, before being moved through the Rimutaka Tunnel to Featherston. The locomotive was placed on a concrete plinth in a children's playground.

Over the years, exposure to the elements and vandalism had deteriorated the locomotive's condition. In 1980, the Friends of the Fell Society was formed with the intention of restoring H 199 for static display. Restoration began in 1981, and in 1984, the locomotive was moved into the new Fell Engine Museum adjacent to the playground. The restoration of the locomotive was completed in 1989.

Class register

Key:	In service	Out of service	Auckland Transport service	Preserved	Overhaul	Scrapped

Number	Builder	Introduced[1]	Withdrawn[1]	Notes
199	Avonside	01877-01-01 January 1, 1877	01956-03 March 1956	Originally H 1 and named Mont Cenis Preserved on static display at Fell Engine Museum, Featherston
200	Avonside	01878-10-16 October 16, 1878	01956-03 March 1956	Originally H 2 and named Mount Cook Scrapped at Silverstream in 1956
201	Avonside	01878-10-17 October 17, 1878	01956-03 March 1956	Originally H 3 and named Mount Egmont Scrapped at Silverstream in 1956
202	Avonside	01878-10-18 October 18, 1878	01956-03 March 1956	Originally H 4 and named Mount Tongariro Scrapped at Silverstream in 1956
203	Neilson	01886-11-01 November 1, 1886	01956-03 March 1956	Scrapped at Silverstream in 1956
204	Neilson	01886-08-09 August 9, 1886	01956-03 March 1956	Scrapped at Silverstream in 1956

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "H Class 0-4-2 T Register". http://www.trainweb.org/nzsteam/h_reg.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-29. 

External links

• New Zealand Steam Locomotives - Class H