NZR EC class

NZR EC class
NZR EC class No. 7 at the Ferrymead Railway for the Easter 2008 railfan event
Power type	Electric
Builder	English Electric, United Kingdom
Build date	1928
UIC classification	Bo-Bo
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge
Length	12 metres (39 ft)
Weight on drivers	50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons)
Locomotive weight	50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons)
Electric system	1500 V DC
Current collection method	Pantograph
Traction motors	4
Top speed	85 km/h
Power output	885 kW (1,187 hp)
Class	EC
Number in class	6
Number	7 - 12
Locale	Christchurch - Lyttelton
First run	1929-02-14
Last run	1970-09-18
Disposition	Withdrawn; 1 preserved

The NZR EC class were a class of electric locomotive used in Christchurch, New Zealand. They replaced steam locomotives on trains through the Lyttelton rail tunnel between Lyttelton and Christchurch.

Introduction

In 1929 the Christchurch to Lyttelton line was electrified in order to reduce the smoke nuisance in the 2.6 km (1.6 mi) Lyttelton Tunnel, which had been opened in 1867. Six EC class locomotives were purchased from English Electric exclusively for this work. They worked for more than 40 years until the section was dieselised in 1970, by which stage three locos had been withdrawn.

Preservation

Class leader EC 7 along with EO 3 was transported to Ferrymead by road in 1972 and stored by the tramway section until 1977 when it was shifted onto the railway tracks. In 1978, part of the Ferrymead line was fitted with catenary overhead and in 1980, some test runs were done with EC 7 at 600V using the tramway power supply.

Construction of a substation able to supply the railway, tramway and trolley buses was subsequently commenced and in November 1988, it was officially opened with trains hauled by EC 7 on the electrified section of the Railway. EC 7 is periodically operated at the Park, sometimes double-headed with EO 3 or one of the other electric locos there.

External links

• Maintenance of Ec loco c1960 (photo)
• Unloading Ec loco onto wharf c1929 (photo)

References

• Parsons, David, New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002, (2002), Chapter 1, ISBN 0-908573-78-2