NZR EB class
Encyclopedia
The EB class was a class of five battery electric
(later diesel-electric) locomotives built to perform shunting duties at the workshops of New Zealand
's national rail network
. The first was built in 1925 and began its working life in Frankton
, though four years later, it was transferred to Christchurch
's Addington Workshops. That same year, four more were ordered and they were stationed at workshops around the country.
New batteries were required in 1937, and although conversion into diesel-electric locomotives was proposed, rebuilding was not undertaken until the early 1950s. In their new guise, the locomotives survived well into the 1970s; the first to be withdrawn was EB 27 in 1976, and two years later, the class leader, EB 25, was also removed from service. It has been preserved by Auckland
's Museum of Transport and Technology
. The other three locomotives survived long enough to receive TMS numbers - EB 26 became EB 1809, EB 28 became EB 1815, and EB 29 became EB 1821. The latter two were withdrawn in 1980, but EB 1809, now stationed in Napier
, was reclassified as a member of the TR class
, TR 1003. After it was withdrawn, it was saved for preservation and currently resides in Awatoto with its original number of EB 26 returned.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
(later diesel-electric) locomotives built to perform shunting duties at the workshops of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's national rail network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
. The first was built in 1925 and began its working life in Frankton
Frankton, New Zealand
There are two towns called Frankton in New Zealand:* Frankton, Otago is located close to Queenstown in the South Island* Frankton, Waikato is located close to Hamilton in the North Island...
, though four years later, it was transferred to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
's Addington Workshops. That same year, four more were ordered and they were stationed at workshops around the country.
New batteries were required in 1937, and although conversion into diesel-electric locomotives was proposed, rebuilding was not undertaken until the early 1950s. In their new guise, the locomotives survived well into the 1970s; the first to be withdrawn was EB 27 in 1976, and two years later, the class leader, EB 25, was also removed from service. It has been preserved by Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's Museum of Transport and Technology
Museum of Transport and Technology
The Museum of Transport and Technology is a museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. It is located close to the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Park. The museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft and other land transport vehicles...
. The other three locomotives survived long enough to receive TMS numbers - EB 26 became EB 1809, EB 28 became EB 1815, and EB 29 became EB 1821. The latter two were withdrawn in 1980, but EB 1809, now stationed in Napier
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
, was reclassified as a member of the TR class
NZR TR class
The NZR TR class is a class of diesel shunting locomotives built by many different manufacturers. Many of these locomotives have been withdrawn, but some are still in service. The first locomotives of this class were built by the Drewry Car Co in 1936, and had 52 kW or 90 kW petrol engines...
, TR 1003. After it was withdrawn, it was saved for preservation and currently resides in Awatoto with its original number of EB 26 returned.
See also
- E classNZR E class (1922)The NZR E class battery-electric locomotive represented the third unique type of locomotive to be given the E classification in New Zealand. The first was the E class of nine Double Fairlie steam locomotives of 1872-75; the second E class consisted of a Mallet compound made in 1906; and as both...
, the other, earlier example of a battery electric locomotive to operate in New Zealand