| Weight | 20t 5cwt |
| Driving Wheels | 3ft 0½ins |
| Boiler Pressure | 160psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 10½in x 18in |
| Tractive Effort | 6,960lbf |
| Valve Gear | Stephenson |
This locomotive class F was built by Dübs & Co at Glasgow for the New Zealand Government Railway. It was built in 1878 and entered service the following year as F100 before being renumbered F27 in 1882 and finally F185 in 1890.
The locomotive had a difficult start when the ship sank on its way from Scotland to New Zealand. Fortunately, the locomotive was recovered.
88 members of the class were acquired by the Government and by various private railways, notably the Westport Harbour Board and the Thames Valley & Rotorua Railway (TVRR). They were built in Britain.
- 26 by Avonside Engine Co
- 21 by Dübs & Co
- 12 by Neilson & Co
- 12 by Robert Stephenson & Company
- 11 by Yorkshire Engine Company
- 5 by Vulcan Foundry
- 1 by Black, Hawthorn & Co
The F class was the first important class of steam locomotive built to operate on New Zealand’s railway network after the national gauge of 3 ft 6 in was adopted. They were ordered by the central government between 1872 and 1888. Three prototypes were built by Neilsons of Glasgow in 1872.
The locomotives were capable of hauling light passenger trains at speeds up to 70 km/h (43 mph) or pull up to 800 tonnes of freight on flat trackage.
Originally the design was meant for use on the Southland Railways but they operated essentially everywhere on New Zealand’s railway network doing a variety of jobs. As the main lines were extended and loads increased larger and more powerful locomotives were required and the F class locomotives were consigned to branch line and shunting duties.
By the 1940s most of the remaining members of the F class were concentrated at Christchurch, Invercargill, and Greymouth where they were still used for shunting duties. The short wheel-base meant that could operate where there were tight curves and limited clearance. Many of the locomotives were then replaced by diesel shunters.
The last allocation for the F class was at Lyttelton, where their short wheelbase allowed them to run over the sharp curves on the wharfs.
This locomotive (F185) was withdrawn from service with the NZR and sold to the Taupir Coal Company in Rotowar in 1936. The Taupir Coal Company began mining operations in 1915 after a railway to the area and a bridge over the Waikato River were completed. By 1928 it was producing 11,000 tons of coal a month.
Between 1951 and 1972 the locomotive was employed by the State Mines Department at Pukemiro.
After finishing service in the mining industry the locomotive was acquired by Bush Tramway Club (BTC) near Huntly where it had intermittent use of the years.
The locomotive is now out of service with major boiler issues.
Apart from this locomotive eight members of the F class have been preserved
- F13 – Built by Neilson & Company as works number 1692 in 1872
- F111 – Built by Dübs & Co as 1233Dübs Works No 1233 in 1879
- F150 – Built by Dübs & Co as works number 1371 in 1880
- F163 – Built by Dübs & Co as works number 1367 in 1880
- F180 – Built by Yorkshire Engine Company as works number 244 in 1878
- F230 – Built by Dübs & Co as works number 1364 in 1880
- F233 – Built by Robert Stephenson & Company as works number 2593 in 1885
- Four members of the F class remain as parts only
- F12 – Built by Yorkshire Engine Company as works number 241 in 1874
This locomotive was taken out of service in 1957 and sold to Waitaki Farmers Freezing Company for use at their Pukeuri works, near Oamaru. It was used there until 1968. Since arriving at Ferrymead the locomotive has been used for parts for both F13 and F111 at Ocean Beach Railway. The cab is owned by the Ocean Beach Railway, Dunedin for use on F 111, and the rest of the locomotive is stored at Ferrymead as a source of spare parts for F 13.
This locomotive has largely been scrapped and only the chassis remain
- F162 – Built by Built by Dübs & Co as works number 1363 in 1880
This locomotive was withdrawn from service with NZR in May 1932. In 1939 it was converted to a diesel whilst based at AFFCO in Auckland.
- F216 – Built by Neilson & Company as works number 3751 in 1888
This locomotive was the last class F built and started its life with the Kaihu Valley Railway. It was converted to a diesel at AFFCO at Horotin in 1936. In January 1993 it was purchased by NZR. It is now at the Bush Tramway Club at Pukemiro
- F228 – Built by Built by Dübs & Co as works number 1365 in 1880
This locomotive was withdrawn from service with NZR in November 1935 and sold to Auckland Farmers Freezing Co. Ltd at Moerewa. In 1936 it was converted to use petrol. Only the chassis remain
Preserved Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 