NZR Ab class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR AB Class | |
 AB 778 with the Kingston Flyer |
|
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | NZGR Addington Workshops (38) North British Locomotive Works, Scotland (83) A & G Price Limited, Thames (20) |
| Build date | 1915 - 1925 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| Length | 62' 5" ft |
| Total weight | 84.7 tons |
| Top speed | 60 mph |
| Tractive effort | 20030 lbf |
| Career | NZGR |
| Number in class | 141 |
| Number | 608 - 838 |
| Locale | All of New Zealand |
| Preserved | 6 (663, 778, 795) |
| Current owner | Kingston Flyer, Mainline Steam |
| Disposition | Withdrawn, Preserved |
The NZR AB class was a steam locomotive built to operate on New Zealand's national railway system. The first members of the class were constructed in 1915 as a development of the A class, and a total of 141 were built. This makes the AB class was the most numerous steam locomotive class in New Zealand's history, and the second most numerous class of any New Zealand locomotive, five behind the 146 of the DA class diesel-electrics. The AB class had a wheel arrangement of 4-6-2.
Efficient and versatile, the AB class was easy to maintain and operated on almost all parts of New Zealand's network, hauling just about any kind of train. The locomotives were suited to both passengers and freight, able to run passenger expresses at speeds of 100 km/h (60 mph) or goods trains of 700+ tonnes on easy grades. The AB was reputedly the first engine able to generate 1 horsepower for every 100 pounds of weight.
The AB class lasted until the end of steam in New Zealand (the final regular service hauled by a steam engine was headed by a member of the JA class on 26 October 1971) and two were retained to operate the Kingston Flyer, possibly New Zealand's most famous heritage railway. The Flyer has now passed into private ownership and it is still run by AB 778 and AB 795.
The WAB class of 1917 was a tank locomotive version of the AB class.
[edit] External links
- NZR Steam locomotives - Ab class
- Official website of the Kingston Flyer
- Official website of the Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
[edit] Reference
- Heath, Eric, and Stott, Bob; Classic Steam Locomotives Of New Zealand, Grantham House, 1993
