| Driving Wheels | 2ft 6ins |
| Weight | 11 tons |
| Boiler Pressure | 120psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 8in x 15in |
| Tractive Effort | 3,072 lbf |
The New Zealand Railway (NZR) A class of 1873 consisted of three types of locomotives with similar specifications but different details. The earliest and most numerous were built by Dübs in Glasgow in 1873 who supplied 12 locomotives. The Yorkshire Engine Company in Sheffield supplied another 2 in 1875. The details above are for the Dübs engines.
The locomotives were initially ordered by the Public Works Department for use in the construction of lines in Canterbury and Taranaki. They were not just used by the Public Works Department; the New Zealand Government Railways also utilised the class to operate revenue services on smaller branch lines.
The locomotives quickly became outmoded for use on the lines they helped build and only one remained in government service by 1905. It was used on the Piha Tramway and later on NZR’s Stores Branch Piha Tramway. By 1906 all Dubs A class locomotives were out of service for NZR.
Whilst the locomotives were too small for operating on the NZR they were ideally suited to use on bush tramways and small private industrial sidings. Many members of the class survived for decades in private use.
This locomotive (A67) was built by Dübs in Glasgow in 1873 for service with the NZR. It served with the NZR until 1891 when it was sold to the Hokonui Coal Company. It only remained there until 1892 when it was repurchased by the NZR.
It was withdrawn from service with the NZR again in 1896 and sold to Lovells Flat Coal Company.
In 1906 the locomotive was sold to Real MacKay Company at their Milton plant.
It only remained there until the following year when it was purchased by the Bruce Bay Coal Co.
In 1921 it was sold to Milburn Lime & Cement. It remained there until 1967 when the locomotive was acquired by the Ocean Beach Railway (OBR) in Dunedin.
The OBR restored the locomotive to steam again.
It was withdrawn from service in 1994 for an overhaul. During the overhaul it was fitted with Westinghouse brake equipment and returned to service in 1995.
In September 1995 the locomotive took part in the 1995 Waipara Vintage Festival at the Weka Pass Railway. It was then taken out of service in October 1996 for another overhaul.
The overhaul was completed in February 1998.
In October 2006 the locomotive took part in the Dunedin Railway Stations 100th Birthday Celebrations.
It is currently under overhaul.
Five other A class locomotives built by Dübs in 1873 are preserved in New Zealand
- Works number 648 – 66
- Works number 651 – 64
- Works number 653 – 65
- Works number 655 – 193
- Works number 656 – 62
Preserved Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 