NZR EO class (1923)

New Zealand EO class (1923)

Eo 3 running around a train at the Ferrymead Heritage Park.

Type and origin
Power type	Electric
Builder	English Electric Dick Kerr Works, Preston, United Kingdom
Build date	1923

Specifications
UIC class	Bo-Bo
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length	11.7 metres (38 ft 5 in)
Adhesive weight	50.0 tonnes (49.2 long tons; 55.1 short tons)
Loco weight	50.0 tonnes (49.2 long tons; 55.1 short tons)
Electric system(s)	1500 V DC overhead lines
Current collection	Pantograph
Traction motors	4

Performance figures
Maximum speed	64 km/h (40 mph)
Power output	510 kW (680 hp)
Tractive effort	63 kN (14,000 lb_f)

Career
Operators	New Zealand Railways
Class	EO
Number in class	5
Numbers	2 - 6
Locale	Midland Line between Otira and Arthur's Pass
First run	1923
Last run	1968
Scrapped	1969
Disposition	1 preserved, 4 scrapped

The New Zealand EO class of 1923 were electric locomotives used on the steep Otira to Arthur's Pass section of the Midland Line. They were primarily for pulling trains through the 8.5 km (5.3 mi) Otira Tunnel to avoid the buildup of steam, smoke and soot.

Introduction

When the Otira tunnel was being built, steam locomotives were not considered for use in the tunnel, because smoke would build up in the tunnel and be difficult to clear. Tenders were received from English Electric, and a company in New York. Due to the economic situation at the time, the tender was given to English Electric. And so on 10 April 1923 six electric locomotives arrived, numbered E 2 to E 6 (1 was the Class E battery electric loco built in 1922).

They were later reclassified Eo to avoid confusion with the EC class locomotives.

Service

The locomotives coped well in service, and from 1942 it became standard practice to run three locomotives together with only two pantographs up, and have their pantographs linked by jumper cables. This was deemed dangerous however, and soon each locomotive ran with its own pantograph up. This often resulted in heavy sparking. Once it became normal to run three locomotives together, they were altered in 1940 to a single cab design.

Another view of EO 3

Replacement and preservation

They were replaced in April 1968 by the EA class locomotives. The EA class were later redesignated as EO class (of 1968).

EO3 was preserved at the Ferrymead Railway. There is also a scale model of EO3 in Nelson, New Zealand. It is 7 ¹⁄₄ in (184 mm) gauge and is capable of pulling about six passengers with the driver.

Class register

Key:	In service	On lease	Out of service	Preserved	Overhaul/Repair	Scrapped

Original no.	Reclassified classn	Introduced	Withdrawn	Notes
E 2	E^O 2	000000001923-04-01-0000April 1923	000000001968-04-01-0000April 1968
E 3	E^O 3	000000001923-04-01-0000April 1923	000000001968-04-01-0000April 1968	Preserved, Canterbury Railway Society.
E 4	E^O 4	000000001923-04-01-0000April 1923	000000001968-04-01-0000April 1968
E 5	E^O 5	000000001923-04-01-0000April 1923	000000001968-04-01-0000April 1968
E 6	E^O 6	000000001923-04-01-0000April 1923	000000001968-04-01-0000April 1968

References

Pasrsons, David, New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002, (2002), Chapter 1, ISBN 0-908573-78-2

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to NZR Class EO.

New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction - Class EO (EE)

Rail vehicles of New Zealand

Diesel locomotives

Diesel Multiple Units

Electric locomotives

1500 V DC	E^A (later EO of 1968) E^C E^D E^O of 1923 E^W

25 kV AC	EF

Battery	E E^B

Electric Multiple Units

1500 V DC (Wellington)	"English Electric" D^M (inc. D trailers) "Ganz Mavag" EM (inc. ET trailers) "Matangi" FP (inc. FT trailers)

25 kV AC (Auckland)	AM (inc. AMP, AMT, AMA)

Railcars

RM class	88 seater (also known as Fiats or twinsets) Clayton steam railcar Edison battery-electric railcar Midland railcar Leyland experimental petrol railcar MacEwan-Pratt petrol railcar Model T Ford railcar Sentinel-Cammell steam railcar Silver Fern Standard Thomas Transmission Vulcan Wairarapa Westinghouse

Others	A 88 Buckhurst petrol carriage

Steam locomotives

A of 1873
A of 1906 (inc. A^D)
A^A
A^B
B of 1874
B of 1899
B^A
B^B
B^C
C of 1873
C of 1930
D of 1874
D of 1929
E of 1872 & 1875
E of 1906
F
F^A (inc. F^B)
G of 1874
G Garratt of 1928 (inc. Pacific rebuild)
H
J of 1874
J of 1939
J^A
J^B
K of 1877
K of 1932
K^A
K^B
L
L^A
M
N
N^A
N^C
O
O^A
O^B
O^C
P of 1876
P of 1885
Q of 1878
Q of 1901
R
S
T
U
U^A
U^B
U^C
U^D
V
W
W^A
W^AB
W^B
W^D
W^E
W^F
W^G
W^H
W^J
W^S
W^W
X
Y

Locomotive hauled carriages

See also: Locomotives of New Zealand.

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