New Zealand Made Locomotives.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 6, 2 April 1906, Page 131

New Zealand Made Locomotives.

A. gratifying news item is found in the decision of the Government to call for tenders for 20 locomotives of the "A " class, to be built m New Zealand, the tenders for which close on the 25 th of June next. The fact that these engines are " A's " compels us to draw a comparison between the old and new orders. Forty years ago our finest engine was the " A," a four-wheeled-coupled "tank", weighing nitons in working order. These engines were built in the Old Country by Dubs & Co. and the Yorkshire Co., and they had cylinders of 8", with a stroke of 15". They drew the principal passenger trains, and were considered highly efficient machines. But now we ascertain that the new " A " engines are to be built on the De Glehn compound system, with four cylinders, a tractive power of about 20,000 lbs., and a weight in working, order of over 70 tons. With the exception of the " E ", now running on the Rimutaka incline, these engines will be the most powerful in New Zealand. Of the types turned out at the various Government and private shops of the colony no locomotives have, perhaps, given greater satisfaction than the "Wf" class, an engine having a tractive power far in excess of its prototypes, the " W's ", and being our handiest " suburban " locomotive. Another good machine in the homemade list is class " U ", precursor of the large and useful family, built here and elsewhere, which to-day negotiates the bulk of our express and freight work. With a view to permitting small firms to undertake a part of the work, alternative tenders are also called for. These stipulate for supply and delivery of (a) twenty locomotives, minus tenders, (b) twenty tenders, (c) ten locomotives, complete with tenders, (d) ten locomotives, minus tenders, (c) ten tenders, (f) five locomotives, minus tenders, (h) five tenders. The engineering firms of the colony are to be congratulated on having long since brought the Government to practically recognise the high standard maintained in 'the New Zealand made locomotive.