NZR WG class explained

NZR W^G class
Powertype:	Steam
Builder:	NZGR Hillside
Builddate:	1910-1912
Totalproduction:	20
Whytetype:	4-6-4T
Driverdiameter:	453NaN3
Weightondrivers:	29.7LT
Locoweight:	50.51NaN1
Fueltype:	Coal
Boilerpressure:	2000NaN0
Firearea:	16.9square feet
Totalsurface:	738square feet
Cylindercount:	Two, outside
Cylindersize:	14x
Tractiveeffort:	153302NaN2
Operator:	NZR
Locale:	All of New Zealand

The NZR W^G class was a development of the preceding W^F class of all purpose tank locomotive. Later in their careers most (14) were rebuilt as W^W class. The locomotives were designed by A. L. Beattie, who described them as a "large tank locomotive."

In service

The locomotives were used on suburban trains in Wellington and Auckland.

Rimutaka Incline

See also: Rimutaka Incline.

WG 480 was built by New Zealand Railways at Hillside (maker's no 104/10), went into service in October 1910. It was altered for use on the Rimutaka Incline to assist the "Fell" locomotives cope with the military traffic to and from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces training camp at Featherston. The cowcatchers were altered to clear the high Fell centre rail, and it had an acetylene headlamp arranged to follow the alignment of the track on curves. Written off in June 1969, and preserved at Glenbrook.^[1]

Withdrawals

All of the locomotives were withdrawn by 1956.

See also

• NZR W class
• NZR W^A class
• NZR W^B class
• NZR W^D class
• NZR W^E class
• NZR W^F class
• NZR W^W class
• NZR W^S / W^AB class
• Locomotives of New Zealand

References

Bibliography

• • Book: Lloyd, W. G.. Register of New Zealand Railways Steam Locomotives 1863-1971. 1974. 2nd. 0-9582072-1-6.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Steam locomotive 480, Wg class (4-6-4T type). Alexander Turnbull Library. 7 February 2020.