NZR G class (1874)

The NZR G Class was a class of four saddle tank locomotives from English builders Black Hawthorn in the early 1870s. Like the similarly sized D class, they were an attempt to produce a passenger version of the highly successful F class.

Origin and design

The G class was ordered by the Canterbury Provincial Council. They were derived from the F class, replacing the lead driving axle with a four-wheel bogie. It was hoped that the leading wheels would allow them to run speed passenger services at higher speeds. However the class suffered from poor adhesive weight, a driver stating that "it took the 'G' all its time to push its front bogie along, let alone pull a load". They were followed by the L Class which were more successful as a faster F Class.

Service

In the early 1890s the locomotives were progressively transferred to the Picton section, where they were out of the way of the busy Hurunui-Bluff section. Their maximum load on the 1 in 37 gradient from Picton was six 4-wheel wagons.

Withdrawal and disposal

All of the locomotives were withdrawn between 1915 and 1919 and were sold for further service in industry. One member from the Castlecliff Branch was subject to a preservation attempt however due to a translation error a Barclay steam locomotive, No. 1749 was sent instead while the G class member was scrapped. The Barclay locomotive is now at the Silverstream Railway in operation.