NZR Wab class
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| NZR WAB class | |
 WAB 794 on its first excursion after restoration, with the Capital Connection rolling stock. Photo by Joseph Christianson |
|
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | NZGR Addington Workshops (1), Hillside Workshops (12) A & G Price Limited, Thames (3) |
| Build date | 1939 |
| Configuration | 4-6-4T |
| Gauge | 3' 6", 1067 mm |
| Wheel diameter | 54" |
| Wheelbase | 34' 10" |
| Length | 66' 11½" |
| Fuel type | Coal, Oil |
| Tender capacity | 4000 gals water, 6 tons coal, 1350 gals Oil |
| Top speed | 60 mph |
| Tractive effort | 22260 lbf |
| Career | New Zealand Railways, Ohai Railway Board |
| Number in class | 16 |
| Number | 687 - 798 |
| Locale | All of New Zealand |
| First run | 1918 - 1926 |
| Retired | 1967 - 1972 |
| Scrapped | 1969 - 1972 |
| Current owner | Feilding and District Steam Rail Society (1) |
| Disposition | Withdrawn, 2 preserved |
The WAB class locomotives were steam locomotives designed, built and used by New Zealand Railways Department. Their wheel arrangement is described by the Whyte notation 4-6-4T. The locomotives were designed by NZR chief draughtsman S.H. Jenkinson as tank versions of the AB class 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive. Initially, the locomotives were separated into two classes, designated WAB for mainline work and WS for suburban work.
The first locomotives, WS 686 and WAB 687, were built from the boilers, frames and engine units initially destined for AB 666 and AB 667. These entered service in 1917, WS 686 in Wellington and WAB 687 at Taumarunui in the central North Island. Fourteen WS class locomotives were built between 1917 and 1925: one at Addington workshops (686), five at A&G Price Ltd, Thames (799-803) and eight at Hillside workshops, Dunedin (764-771). All the WS class were converted to WAB in 1932-4. Sixteen WAB class were built between 1918 and 1926: one at Addington (687), 12 at Hillside (786-795) and three at A&G Price (796-798). Between 1947 and 1957 11 WAB class were converted to AB class.
The remaining locomotives were kept in service until the last days of steam, operating short-haul main line freight services and fast suburban services, particularly in Auckland. WAB 794 was sold to the Ohai Railway Board in Southland for running heavy coal trains.
The engines were progressively withdrawn in the 1960s.
[edit] Preserved locomotives
Only three examples of the class remain, with two in their original form as WABs. WAB 794 is preserved at Feilding, and has been used on main line excursions and also on the regular Wellington - Auckland Overlander service. WAB (former WS) 800 is at Te Awamutu and AB (former WAB) 795 is preserved at Kingston, for use on the "Kingston Flyer".
