This locomotive was built in 1938 by Peckett & Sons at Bristol for Wilson’s (NZ) Portland Cement Ltd. It was one of a number of steam locomotives that were employed on the line that linked the limestone quarries with the Portland cement works, south of Whangarei and the deep water jetty the company built. There was also a connection to the North Auckland Line at Portland. It was considered to be the most extensive private railway in New Zealand.
In 1970 Wilsons (NZ) Portland Cement was taken over by the Golden Bay Cement Company and Winstone Ltd with each holding a 50% stake in the company. Golden Bay Cement Company became the sole owner in 1980.
The locomotive remained at Portland until 1984 although it is understood that the railway at the cement works was not used after 1977.
In 1984 the locomotive was acquired by the Goldfields Railway where it is stored.
It is understood that the owning group has no current plans to perform the overhaul
The Goldfields Railway is a heritage railway that operates between Waihi and Waikino in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand’s North Island. It operates over a section of track that was part of the East Coast Main Trunk Railway until the Kaimai Tunnel deviation made it redundant in 1978. The Goldfields Railway was formed in 1980 as the Goldfields Steam Train Society to retain a portion of the old mainline and switched to its current name in the mid-nineties.
Preserved Outside Britain – By Country
Preserved British Steam Locomotives 