| Driving Wheels | 3ft 0ins |
| Weight | 15 tons |
| Boiler Pressure | 130psi |
| Cylinders | Outside – 9½in x 18in |
| Tractive Effort | 4,693 lbf |
This locomotive was built by Neilson & Company in Glasgow in 1880 and entered service with New Zealand Railways (NZR) in the following year. It was one of 35 class locomotives built as class D engines that were all withdrawn from service by the end of 1927.
The first eight members of the class which were supplied by Neilson & Company in 1874. Five more were supplied by Dübs in 1878 and then four from Neilson in 1878 and seven in 1880. Scott Brothers of Christchurch built ten in 1887 and one in 1890.
Interestingly these were the first class of locomotive built by Scott Brothers for the NZR and were one of only two New Zealand manufacturers to supply steam locomotives to NZR. The other was A & G Price of Thames.
The class was not particularly powerful and was employed on light duties, sometimes achieving speeds of 45 mph on level track They often saw service on commuter trains between Christchurch and Lyttelton until superior locomotives took their place. They were utilised at other major locations on the South Island’s east coast.
This locomotive remained in service with the NZR until 1923 when it was sold to the Hawkes Bay Farmers Meat Company. The company operated the Whakatu Freezing Works which had been established in 1915 for the slaughter and processing of sheep and beef. The locomotive remained there until 1960.
The locomotive then spent a year under the ownership of the Hastings Model Railway Club before going to the Western Springs Railway in 1961. The locomotive was then displayed at the Western Springs Railway until 1975.
In 1975 the locomotive was acquired by Roger Redward of Christchurch and the locomotive was moved to the Tokomaru Steam Museum at Manawatu where it remained until 1981.
There are no records of where the locomotive was again until 2000 when ownership had passed to the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) at the Western Springs Railway at Auckland.
Since 2000 the locomotive has been on loan from MOTAT to Helensville Station where it was placed on static display. The locomotive is almost identical to the locomotive that hauled the first train into Helensville in October 1875.
The locomotive was returned to MOTAT in 2025 from Helensville. It is in storage awaiting a decision on its eventual restoration.
Six other class D locomotives have been preserved.in New Zealand
Neilson & Company
- Works number 1847 – 143
- Works number 2306 – 16
- Works number 2564 – 6
- Works number 2565 – 221
Dübs
- Works number 1164 – 50
Scott Brothers
- Works number 31 – 137
Preserved Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 