NZR Wd class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR WD class | |
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Build date | 1898 |
| Configuration | 2-6-4T |
| Gauge | 3' 6" ft, 1067mm |
| Length | 34' 9" ft |
| Total weight | 44.5 t |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Career | New Zealand Railways |
| Number in class | 18 |
| Number | 316-327 355-360 |
| Locale | Wanganui, Napier |
| First run | 1901 - 1902 |
| Retired | 1935 - 1950 |
The NZR WD class was a class of tank locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works to operate on New Zealand's national rail network. Essentially a more advanced version of 1898's WB class, the eighteen members of the WD class were ordered in 1901 and most entered service that year, though three were not introduced until the start of 1902. Based in locations all around the country, from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south, the WD class were suitable for a variety of trains from freight to suburban passenger services. Withdrawal of the class began with WD 356 in January 1933, with the final three, 327, 359, and 360, written off in March 1936. A number were not actually scrapped or dumped, but were sold to work on private industrial lines. One such locomotive, WD 357, survived long enough to be preserved by the Ferrymead Railway and notably still has its original boiler from 1901. It is currently the only operational example of a locomotive built by Baldwin for New Zealand, even though a total of 111 Baldwin locomotives were used by NZR. Another WD, 356, has been located and salvaged by the Baldwin Steam Trust from where it was dumped near Pahiatua. This locomotive may one day be restored to mainline operational condition.
