This locomotive was one of a pair built by Manning, Wardle & Co in Leeds in 1914 for the Christchurch Meat Company Ltd. One of the 12 ton locomotives was based at the Imlay works near Wanganui whilst works number 1841 was based at the Islington works near Christchurch. At Islington the locomotive travelled about 20 miles a day.
The New Zealand Refrigerating Company Limited was founded 1881. The organisation slaughtered livestock at its Burnside Works which opened in 1883 at Dunedin. Here they froze the carcasses and shipped them for wholesaling in Smithfield market in London.
In 1905 the Christchurch Meat Company of Islington bought New Zealand Refrigerating Company Limited and from August 1916 adopted the Christchurch Meat Company name for the whole business. The works closed in 2008 by which time it was trading under the name Silver Fern Farms.
The locomotive remained in service for over 60 years until 1975 when it was donated to the Canterbury Railway Society at Ferrymead Heritage Park.
It was used at Ferrymead as part of the fleet of locomotives hauling passenger trains and even ventured onto the fledgling Weka Pass Railway in 1983.
The locomotive is now on static display at Ferrymead whilst it awaits an overhaul which will include major boiler work.
Preserved Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 