WAB 794 on its first excursion after restoration, with the Capital Connection rolling stock, on 31 August 2003.
Type and origin
Power type
Steam
Builder
NZR Addington Workshops, Christchurch (1+1) NZR Hillside Workshops, Dunedin (12+8) A & G Price Limited, Thames (3+5)
Build date
1939
Specifications
Configuration:
• Whyte
4-6-4T
Gauge
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Wheel diameter
54 in (1.372 m)[1]
Wheelbase
33 ft 1 in (10.08 m)
Length
44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)[1]
Adhesive weight
41.85 long tons (42.52 t; 46.87 short tons)[1]
Loco weight
74 long tons (75 t; 83 short tons)[1]
Fuel type
Coal
Fuel capacity
3.0 long tons (3.0 t; 3.4 short tons)[1]
Water cap.
1,700 imp gal (7,700 L; 2,000 US gal)[1]
Firebox:
• Grate area
33.0 sq ft (3.07 m2)[1]
Boiler pressure
200 psi (1,379 kPa)[1]
Heating surface
1,050 sq ft (98 m2)[1]
Superheater:
• Heating area
183 sq ft (17.0 m2)[1]
Cylinders
Two[1]
Cylinder size
17 in × 26 in (432 mm × 660 mm)[1]
Performance figures
Maximum speed
60 mph (97 km/h)
Power output
1,000 bhp (750 kW)[1]
Tractive effort
22,250 lbf (99.0 kN)[1]
Career
Number in class
30 (16 WAB+14 WS)
Numbers
687 - 798
Locale
All of New Zealand
First run
1918 - 1926
Retired
1967 - 1972
Scrapped
1969 - 1972
Current owner
Feilding and District Steam Rail Society (1)
Disposition
Scrapped, three preserved
The NZR WAB class locomotives were steam locomotives designed, built and used by New Zealand Railways Department (NZR). Their wheel arrangement is described by the Whyte notation 4-6-4T. The locomotives were designed by NZR chief draughtsman S.H. Jenkinson as tank versions of the AB class 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive. Initially, the locomotives were separated into two classes, designated WAB for mainline work and WS for suburban work.[2]
The remaining locomotives were kept in service until the last days of steam, operating short-haul mainline freight services and fast suburban services, particularly in Auckland. WAB 794 was sold to the Ohai Railway Board in Southland for running heavy coal trains. The locomotives were progressively withdrawn in the 1960s.[2]
^ abcdefghijklmn"Wab794 - Technical Information". Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
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