NZR E class (1872)

NZR E class (1872)
"Josephine" at the Otago Settlers Museum
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry (2) Build date 1872 (2)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-4-4-0T Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Driver dia. 45 in (1.143 m) Length 15.7 m (51 ft 6 in) Loco weight 25 short tons (22 long tons; 23 t) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 10.2 sq ft (0.95 m2) Boiler pressure 130 lbf/in2 (900 kPa) Heating surface 838 sq ft (77.9 m2) Cylinders Four, outside Cylinder size 10 in × 18 in (254 mm × 457 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 8,000 lbf (35.59 kN)
Career Operators Port Chalmers Railway Company, NZGR Number in class 8 Nicknames "Josephine" (175) First run 11 September 1872 Disposition 1 preserved

Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Builder	Vulcan Foundry (2)
Build date	1872 (2)

The NZR E class of Double Fairlie steam locomotives were two different types of Fairlie locomotive, and were the first classes to take that designation, followed by the E class Mallet compound locomotive of 1906 and then the E class battery electric locomotive of 1922. The other Double Fairlie class was the B class, and there were also the Single Fairlie R and S classes.

In 1872, two locomotives were ordered by the Otago provincial government to operate trains on the newly built Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway. The first line to be built to the new national gauge standard of 3 feet 6 inches, it had as its consulting engineer Robert F. Fairlie, who persuaded the railway to order locomotives to his Double Fairlie design. Built by the Vulcan Foundry in England, the locomotives were shipped to New Zealand in kitset form. Arriving at Port Chalmers in August, they were unloaded onto the wharf and were assembled in situ. The railway's No.2 "Josephine" was assembled first due to its being closer to the end of the wharf, and after two weeks of assembly she first raised steam on 11 September 1872. After a short test run, "Josephine" was used to help finish the construction of the line while No.1 "Rose" was completed.

At the official opening of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, "Rose" hauled the first official train. Both locomotives continued in service until the railway was amalgamated into the Government system, becoming class "E" and gaining Otago section numbers. In 1879, "Josephine" was used as a banking locomotive south of Oamaru on the first train on the newly completed Main South Line between Dunedin and Christchurch, hauled by K 88 "Washington". There was much discussion over whether "Josephine" or the new American locomotive should lead – K 88 kept its position as lead loco. "Josephine" had to be removed from the train at Palmerston, as the driver had forced her to take too much of the load and as a consequence she developed mechanical problems. Upon the general re-numbering of 1888-90 "Josephine" was numbered E 175, and lasted in NZR service until 1900. She was sold to the Public Works Department, re-numbered PWD 504 and used in the construction of railway lines before they were handed over to the Railways Department. She was transferred to the North Island and utilised in the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway before she returned to her former home for the construction of the Otago Central Railway, before her retirement in 1917. Both locomotives had a reputation of being rather unspectacular performers.