NZR JA class

NZR JA class
JA 1271 with excursion consist climbing the Opapa incline. Photo by Joseph Christianson
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder NZR Hillside Workshops, Dunedin (35) North British Locomotive Works, Glasgow, Scotland (16) Build date 1946 - 1956
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-2 Gauge 42 Wheel diameter 54 in (1.37 m) Wheelbase 34 ft 10 in (10.6 m) Length 66 ft 11.5 in (20.4 m) Adhesive weight 44.45 long tons (45.16 t) Loco weight 69.1 long tons (70.2 t) Tender weight 40.35 long tons (41.00 t) Total weight 109.45 long tons (111.21 t) Fuel type Coal (Hillside) Oil (North British) Fuel capacity 6.0 long tons (6.1 t) coal 1,350 imp gal (6,100 L) oil Water cap. 4,000 imp gal (18,000 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 39.0 square feet (3.6 m2) Boiler pressure 200 psi (1,400 kPa) Feedwater heater None: Fitted with Davies & Metcalfe Exhaust Injector Heating surface 1,469 square feet (136.5 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 283 square feet (26.3 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (46 cm × 66 cm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 24,960 lbf (111.0 kN)
Career Number in class 51 Locale All of New Zealand First run 1947 - 1956 (Hillside) 1952 (North British) Last run 16 November 1971 Retired 1967 - 1971 Scrapped 1969 - 1972 Disposition 44 scrapped 7 preserved

The NZR J^A class were a type of 4-8-2 steam locomotive used on the New Zealand railway network. The class was built in two batches, with the second batch possessing some differences from the first. The first batch was built at Hillside Workshops in 1946-56 and the second batch by the North British Locomotive Works in 1951, and to distinguish between the batches, locomotives are identified by their maker.

The J^A class was the last class of steam locomotive built both for and by NZR - Hillside J^A 1274 was the last steam locomotive ever built by NZR, and the North British J^A's were the last steam locomotives built overseas for the NZR.

The class had relatively short lives of between 12 and 24 years, as they succumbed to dieselisation. Nine J^As lasted until the end of steam on 26 October 1971.

Hillside J^A of 1946

History

The class were an improved version of the J class locomotives. Unlike the J class, which were built overseas by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, Scotland, the new class were instead constructed by NZR's Hillside Workshops in Dunedin. However, some components, such as the bar frames, were still sourced from North British as Hillside lacked the means to construct such a frame.

Some of the more notable improvements from the J class were the use of the Westinghouse cross-compound pump; Ashton double pressure gauge; the Sellars injector in the cab; steam for the pump was taken from a manifold in the cab and not an outlet on the steam dome; combined gauges in the cab; and roller bearings on the driving and connecting rods. However, the first two J^As produced, No.’s 1242 and 1243, did not have roller bearings on any of the rods, and on the rest of the locomotives numbered in the 124X range, roller bearings were only present at the connection between the driving and connecting rods and not on the other wheels. In most other respects however, the class was virtually identical to the earlier J class, although the J^A was never fitted with bullet-nose streamlining.

Although the first class member was built in 1946, due to a number of factors the last member of the class was not turned out of the workshops until 1956. That last locomotive, J^A 1274 was both the last steam locomotive built for NZR and the last steam locomotive built by NZR.

In service

The class only ever worked in the South Island during their NZR career. The first members operated out of Dunedin, although they were supposed to be allocated to Christchurch. When enough of the class were in service to displace the 4 members of the J class based out of Dunedin, those locomotives headed north to join the rest of their class in the North Island. The class performed their duties over most South Island lines, although axle loading and gauge profile kept them from venturing north of Parnassus, New Zealand, and travelling such branch lines as the Otago Central Railway or the Kingston Branch. Despite this, the class became the mainstay of the South Island network.

The class excelled in hauling the South Island Limited express train and was the primary motive power for the service. The maximum official speed was 100 km/h (60 mph), but the class operated effortlessly at high speed, especially across the Canterbury Plains. The official NZR speed record of 125.5 km/h (78 mph) was set by an Vulcan RM class railcar, but the J^A class unofficially operated at higher speeds.

Withdrawal and disposal

The first of the class were not withdrawn until March 1969, in distinct contrast to the types J, J^B and North British J^A cousins. The class lasted in front-line duty until the end of steam in New Zealand; the South Island Limited was the final train worked by steam locomotives and ran for the last time on 26 October 1971. The locomotives remained ready for service into November but were never called upon.

Often as the locomotives suffered mechanical defects or were in need of repairs they were sidelined. Some, such as J^A 1271, were used as stationary boilers. These locomotives, as was common practice at the time, were often stripped of parts to keep the rest of the fleet going.

North British J^A of 1951

History

In 1950 it became clear additional motive power was required in the North Island, but the process of dieselisation was yet to begin. Consequently, NZR chose to order 16 steam locomotives from North British to the design of the successful J class. These locomotives contained a number of differences to both the J class and Hillside J^As – although turned out with the cross-compound pump, roller bearings on the rods were limited to the connection between the connecting and driving rod, mechanical lubrication was employed and the class were built as oil burners (the only class of locomotives on the NZR to be built completely as oil burners). Other detail differences was the use of Stone’s headlights and electrical generator instead of the usual Pyle National equipment, the “Butterfly” number boards on the front headlight, and the lack of smokebox number plate (although a smokebox plate was specified by the NZR).

In service

Captive to the North Island, the North British J^A’s operated on the routes most commonly worked by oil burning locomotives. While generally considered unremarkable, the class operated on North Island express trains alongside the K and K^A classes.

Withdrawal and disposal

Despite being a very young class, some of the North British J^A class members were among the first of the J types to be withdrawn. Only 3 of the class survived until the end of North Island steam. Upon withdrawal, a lot of the class were cannibalised for parts, which were sent to the South Island for use on the J & Hillside J^A fleet there. One locomotive, J^A 1279, was sent to Dunedin as a complete unit before being stripped of parts. Many of the North British J^A tenders were modified for coal use and attached to coal-fired J locos which had tenders in need of replacement.

Preservation

Six of the Hillside J^As survived to be preserved; by contrast only one North British J^A remains. Additionally, two preserved J class locomotives have North British J^A tenders.

Hillside J^A's

J^A 1240 "Jessica" was preserved by Blenheim man Peter Coleman, and was stored serviceable at his Blenheim property. In 1988 after his death, J^A 1240 was purchased by Ian Welch, and in 1990 travelled to Mainline Steam's Parnell Depot. This locomotive is nearing completion of restoration for main line use, as a coal burner and will be based in Christchurch. It has been named after one of owner Ian Welch's granddaughters.

J^A 1250 "Diana" was preserved by the Railway Enthusiasts Society for use on their Steam Safari train in 1972. After this series of excursions it was purchased by Phil Goldman, who named the engine after his wife, Diana. J^A 1250 was restored by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for use on their railway. In 1985, J^A 1250 was one of two engines selected to be used on the first main line steam hauled trip since the end of steam. After this J^A 1250 ventured around the country, being a notable attendee of the 1988 "Ferrymead 125" celebrations. Between 1994 and 1998 J^A 1250 underwent a substantial overhaul, and returned to main line and GVR service. From 2006 J^A 1250's main line certification lapsed, and it was confined to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. In 2011 it was re-certified for main line running again, and made its debut back on the main line in spectacular fashion with a double header from Glenbrook to Hamilton with J^A 1271.

J^A 1260 was preserved by the Ashburton Railway and Preservation Society (known as the Plains Railway)in 1972. It saw limited use on the Plains Railway's line before a years lease to the Weka Pass Railway in 1985/86. After its return to Plains, it was dismantled for overhaul which was protracted due to other pressing projects. In 2007 work on this locomotive began at a fast pace, and in May 2008 J^A 1260 was back in service on the railway. Notably J^A 1260 is the only preserved member of the class to be operating at a lower boiler pressure of 180psi instead of 200psi.

J^A 1267 was preserved by a syndicate and stored at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum at Te Awamutu, 1972. It sat on static display under a rudimentary shelter until 2008 when due to the winding up of the museum and dischord amongst the syndicate, the locomotive was placed up for auction. It was purchased by Ian Welch and transferred to Mainline Steam's Parnell Depot where it is stored pending eventual overhaul to main line running.

J^A 1271 was preserved by Reid McNaught and Russell Gibbard in 1978. At the time of purchase J^A 1271 was incomplete and in a sorry state, having been used as a stationary boiler plant since 1970 after a motion failure. It was transferred to Steam Incorporated's Paekakariki base, and comprehensively restored to main line running. Its debut in 1997 kicked off with a tour of the South Island, before returning north where it has become a very active main line locomotive. It hauled the 2003 50th Anniversary Commemoration train of the Tangiwai disaster, and also was used prominently in the 100th Anniversary of the Parliamentary Special.

J^A 1274 was preserved by the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Otago branch in 1971, and in 1974 was placed on display in a specially erected sheter at the Otago Settlers Museum. It has remained on display there until 2011, and currently a new shelter is being built for its display closer to the station building. There are no plans for restoration to working order for this locomotive.

North British J^A's

J^A 1275 was preserved by Les Hostick in 1967 and stored at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum at Te Awamutu, 1972. It sat on static display under a rudimentary shelter until 1994 when it was leased to Mainline Steam for restoration to main line running condition. Work begain in 2002, and in 2004 J^A 1275 returned to the main line rails. It has proven a reliable locomotive and sees frequent use on excursions.

List of locomotives

Number	Builder	Entered service	Withdrawn	Notes
1240	NZR Hillside	March 1947	16 November 1971	Preserved by Pete Coleman, Blenheim. Sold 1988 to Ian Welch for Mainline Steam; currently under restoration.
1241	NZR Hillside	March 1947	August 1968
1242	NZR Hillside	January 1947	June 1969	First Hillside JA to be built.
1243	NZR Hillside	March 1947	August 1968
1244	NZR Hillside	May 1947	March 1969
1245	NZR Hillside	August 1947	June 1969
1246	NZR Hillside	December 1947	May 1971
1247	NZR Hillside	January 1948	November 1969
1248	NZR Hillside	March 1948	13 July 1971
1249	NZR Hillside	July 1948	March 1968
1250	NZR Hillside	June 1949	16 November 1971	Preserved by Phil Goldman for the Railway Enthusiasts Society and Glenbrook Vintage Railway; operational and mainline certified.
1251	NZR Hillside	August 1949	16 August 1971
1252	NZR Hillside	August 1949	16 August 1971
1253	NZR Hillside	November 1949	16 November 1971
1254	NZR Hillside	January 1950	June 1969
1255	NZR Hillside	March 1950	June 1969
1256	NZR Hillside	July 1951	16 November 1971
1257	NZR Hillside	October 1951	16 August 1971
1258	NZR Hillside	December 1951	16 November 1971
1259	NZR Hillside	June 1952	June 1969
1260	NZR Hillside	November 1952	16 August 1971	Preserved by Plains Vintage Railway; operational but not mainline certified.
1261	NZR Hillside	March 1953	16 November 1971
1262	NZR Hillside	November 1953	July 1969
1263	NZR Hillside	January 1954	July 1969
1264	NZR Hillside	July 1954	June 1969
1265	NZR Hillside	May 1950	June 1969
1266	NZR Hillside	July 1950	June 1969
1267	NZR Hillside	September 1950	16 November 1971	Preserved by Les Hostick & Associates, stored at Te Awamutu Railway Museum until 2008. Purchased by Ian Welch for Mainline Steam; in storage awaiting restoration.
1268	NZR Hillside	November 1950	August 1968
1269	NZR Hillside	January 1955	June 1969
1270	NZR Hillside	December 1955	June 1969	Tender from this locomotive is stored at Mainline Steam, Parnell.
1271	NZR Hillside	April 1956	16 November 1971	Preserved by Steam Incorporated; operational and mainline certified.
1272	NZR Hillside	August 1956	March 1968
1273	NZR Hillside	October 1956	July 1969
1274	NZR Hillside	December 1956	16 November 1971	Last steam locomotive to be built by NZR; on static display at the Otago Settlers Museum.
1275	North British	19 July 1952	March 1968	Preserved by Les Hostick and stored at Te Awamutu Railway Museum. Leased to Mainline Steam; operational and mainline certified.
1276	North British	19 July 1952	March 1968
1277	North British	16 August 1952	May 1966
1278	North British	19 July 1952	March 1968
1279	North British	16 August 1952	July 1964
1280	North British	13 September 1952	May 1967
1281	North British	13 September 1952	September 1966
1282	North British	13 September 1952	November 1967
1283	North British	21 June 1952	March 1968
1284	North British	21 June 1952	August 1967
1285	North British	11 October 1952	October 1967
1286	North British	11 October 1952	November 1967
1287	North British	8 November 1952	October 1966
1288	North British	8 November 1952	September 1966
1289	North British	11 October 1952	February 1966
1290	North British	6 December 1952	October 1966

Gallery

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External links

• NZR Steam locomotives - J^A class
• Railway Enthusiasts Society
• Steam Train Videos
• Owners and Operators of Ja 1271
• Plains Railway - home of Ja 1260
• Mainline Steam - Ja 1275, Ja 1240 and Ja 1267
• Hillside Workshops