| 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 (A66) was built by Dübs in Glasgow in 1873 for service with the NZR. It entered service with the NZR in 1875. It was withdrawn from service in 1904 and sold to NZ Pine Company at their Colac Bay plant.
It was sold again later in 1904 to Dunedin City Gas Works. It worked there until 1949 when it was placed on display in Dunedin outside the Otago Early Settlers Museum.
In 1973 the locomotive was purchased by the Ocean Beach Railway (OBR) in Dunedin where it was placed in store.
In 1981 it was leased to Caenarvon Restaurant from 1981 until it was damaged by a fire in 1988.
The locomotive was then cosmetically restored and moved to Middlemarch for display
In 2000 the locomotive was leased to the Waimea Plains Railway where it is being restored.
The locomotive will be returned to Dunedin for display at the Gasworks Museum.
Five other A class locomotives built by Dübs in 1873 are preserved in New Zealand
- Works number 647 – 67
- 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 