NZR UB class

NZR UB class
A P Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works, Brooks Locomotive Works, Richmond Locomotive Works Build date 1898, 1901 Total produced 22
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Driver dia. 49.125 in (1.248 m) Adhesive weight 26.4 long tons (26.8 tonnes; 29.6 short tons) Total weight 57.8 long tons (58.7 tonnes; 64.7 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox:  • Firegrate area 16 sq ft (1.5 m2) Boiler pressure 175 lbf/in2 (1,207 kPa) (1898) 200 psi (1,379 kPa) (1901) Heating surface 1,324 sq ft (123.0 m2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 14,590 lbf (64.90 kN) (1898) 16,670 lbf (74.15 kN) (1901)
Career Operators NZR Disposition Withdrawn

The NZR U^B class were a series of Ten Wheelers built by American manufacturers around the start of the twentieth century. Two batches were built by Baldwin in 1898 and 1901 (ten each). The earlier engines had slide valves and Stephenson motion, the later had piston valves and Walschaerts valve gear, as well as a higher boiler pressure. Two additional locomotives were obtained in 1901 from ALCO, one each from Brooks and Richmond. The Brooks locomotive (#17) was heavier (30.1 LT adhesive) with attendant increase in tractive effort (18340 lbf), and had a larger grate (17 sq ft). This locomotive was very popular with crews. The Richmond locomotive had less evaporative heating surface but included a superheater. Boiler pressure was lower (180 psi) and tractive effort was marginally lower. The locomotives were initially assigned to Dunedin to Christchurch expresses and were reassigned as newer power replaced them. The last assignment for the class was on the West Coast Region.

Preservation

While there are some Ub's dumped at Omoto, a few from Oamaru were also dumped in the forshore, Ub 17 of (ALCO) built and 282 a Baldwin built example Both engines were recovered and later sent to Waitara to their Hooterville Heritage Charitable Trust depot, during 2003 before any work was set to recomence on them, owner Tony Bachelor the infamous rail preservationist was tricked by a con-man named Don Rea whom used him and took his money the man was later arrested for doing a Ponzi scheme and later the Hooterville Heritage Trust was forced to close, with many rements sold to other preservationists,

As of today of the now defunt Hooterville Heritage Charitable Trust, Ub 17 and 282 currently lay in the field overgrown as the same place as the chassis of U 194 also lays, however these engines are yet to be saved to a new buyer as of yet which hasn't happened as of yet, and because of salt corrosion from Oamaru forshore it would be a very tricky task in getting new parts replace the original parts,

References

• W.W.Stewart, When Steam Was King, REED, 1970