Andrew Barclay    Works No 1749    PWD 531     0-4-0T   New Zealand Public Works Department, Wellington       Gauge 3ft 6in

Driving Wheels1ft 10in
Weight7t 10cwt
CylindersOutside – 6in x 10in
Boiler Pressure160psi
Tractive Effort3,072lbf

This locomotive was built in Kilmarnock by Andrew Barclay and dispatched to Wellington in New Zealand in June 1921 to work for the New Zealand Public Works Department (PWD). It was one of thirteen small locomotives purchased by the PWD from Andrew Barclay between 1916 and 1921.

The locomotive was initially deployed in assisting with the construction of the Stratford Okahukura Line before being moved to Auckland to assist with track duplication work. It was employed in this role between 1921 and 1937.

During 1937/38 it was employed on grade easement work near Lynn.

A year or two after this the locomotive was sold to the Way & Work Branch of the New Zealand Railways (NZR). It was overhauled and sent to work on the Turakina-Fordell deviation near Wanganui after which it was involved in more work in the same area. Whilst engaged in this work the locomotive carried the number WW4050.

Little is known about the locomotive after this although it is known that it in a derelict state in the Hutt Railway workshops near Wellington in 1955. At some time later it was moved to East Town Workshops near Wanganui where it was noted in a derelict condition in 1959. By 1961 it was noted that the chimney had broken off and it was amongst other locomotives which were destined to be scrapped but this locomotive managed to survive.

The locomotive was then purchased by Sir Len Southward with the intention of displaying it at his car museum at Paraparaumu. It was first taken to the owners factory at Petone where it was placed in store before being sold to the Tokomaru Steam Museum in 1981.

The locomotive was then stripped down, sandblasted and applied with primer paint.

In 1990 the locomotive was relocated to Nuhaka near Wairoa after it was sold to Roy Currie. A limited amount of work was then done on restoring the locomotive but the poor condition of the boiler proved to be a major problem.

In 2001 the newly formed Hawkes Bay Steam Society (HBSS) at Napier purchased the engine and many parts of the locomotive were transported to Napier Engineering where an extensive restoration was started. The only part that was missing was the funnel but this was replaced with a genuine Andrew Barclay chimney. Extensive work was undertaken to restore the locomotive but the boiler was considered to be beyond repair and a new boiler was required.

In 2004 Napier Engineering began construction of a new boiler but because it was regarded as a background job the boiler was not completed until for many years.

In 2008 after an approach by several members of the Silver Stream Railway (SSR) a lease agreement was signed with Hawkes Bay Steam Society (HBSS). Under the agreement the restoration of the locomotive would be completed and run at the SSR to allow the HBSS to regroup and investigate options for the locomotive in Hawkes Bay.

The locomotive was moved in May 2009 to the SSR. Whilst much work on restoring the locomotive had been undertaken it was clear that there was still much left to do.

In September 2012 the locomotive entered service for the first time in preservation. 

In 2017 the Silver Stream Railway acquired full ownership of the locomotive.

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