NZR EO class (1923)

New Zealand EO class (1923)
EO 3 running around a train at the Ferrymead Heritage Park.
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder English Electric Dick Kerr Works, Preston, United Kingdom Build date 1922
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 11.7 metres (38 ft 5 in) Adhesive weight 50.0 tonnes (49.2 long tons; 55.1 short tons) Loco weight 50.0 tonnes (49.2 long tons; 55.1 short tons) Electric system/s 1500 V DC overhead lines Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors 4
Performance figures Maximum speed 64 km/h (40 mph) Power output 510 kW (680 hp) Tractive effort 63 kN (14,000 lbf)
Career Operators New Zealand Railways Class EO Number in class 5 Numbers 2 - 6 Locale Midland Line between Otira and Arthurs Pass First run 4 August 1923 Last run April 1968 Scrapped 1969 Disposition 4 scrapped 1 preserved

The New Zealand EO class of 1923 were electric locomotives used on the steep Otira to Arthurs Pass section of the Midland Line. They were primarily needed for pulling trains through the 1 in 33 grade 8.5 km (5.3 mi) Otira Tunnel which was too long and steep to allow steam locomotives to be used.

When the Otira tunnel was being built, steam locomotives were not considered for use in the tunnel, because smoke would build up in the tunnel and be difficult to clear. The English Electric Company, of London, won the contract to supply six electric locomotives, the installation of overhead contact wires, and the building of a coal-fired electric power station at Otira. On 10 April 1923 six electric locomotives arrived, numbered E 2 to E 6 (1 was the Class E battery electric loco built in 1922). They were later reclassified Eo to avoid confusion with the E^C class locomotives.

The locomotives coped well in service, and from 1942 it became standard practice to run three locomotives together with only two pantographs up, and have their pantographs linked by jumper cables. This was deemed dangerous however, and soon each locomotive ran with its own pantograph up. This often resulted in heavy sparking. Once it became normal to run three locomotives together, they were altered in 1940 to a single cab design.

The class were replaced in April 1968 by the E^A locomotives (which were later re-designated as the EO class of 1968). All, but one were scrapped.

E^O 3 was preserved by the Canterbury Railway Society. The loco arrived at the Ferrymead Heritage Park in 1972 and was restored to operating order in 1977. The locomotive has had the (removed) cab restored to the original style and carries its original number E 3 on that end of the locomotive. The loco received a Restoration Award from the National Federation of Railway Societies in 1996 and today can be seen operating on the Ferrymead Railway.