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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 9 (January 1, 1929)

“Pilgrim,” New Zealand's First Locomotive

“Pilgrim,” New Zealand's First Locomotive.

The first locomotive imported into New Zealand was landed on 6th May, 1863, at Ferrymead Wharf (Heathcote), for the Lyttelton-Christchurch Railway, and was of the 5ft. 3in. gauge. It was named “Pilgrim” as a compliment to the Canterbury Pilgrims, the first settlers of the Canterbury Association. It does not appear that either the contractors who brought the engine from Melbourne (Australia), or the provincial Government who owned it, ever went to the expense of attaching a name plate or painting the name on the engine. During its career in New Zealand that historic locomotive was known as No. 1. Nine other locomotives of similar gauge imported subsequently were, likewise, designated by numbers only.