The custom (once followed in New Zealand) of christening locomotives with distinctive names, has much to commend it and is gaining in popular favour on the big railway systems overseas. The interesting names by which a number of our early locomotives were known are the subject of the following article—compiled from information received from Mr. H. Buxton, late Chief Traffic Manager of the N.Z.R.

The naming of the locomotive “Passchendaele,” pictured in the August number of the “New Zealand Railways Magazine,” recalls the fact that in the early days of our railways some of the locomotives had more or less appropriate names. It was stated by a recent writer that the English custom of giving names to the engines working the principal passenger trains had its origin in the naming of stage coaches. This is probably correct. However, the first stage coach which reached New Zealand (by way of America and Australia), did not bring with it any system of nomenclature, though it is interesting to note that, before the advent of tramways in the Dominion, the ‘buses plying in the streets of the cities had names.

Top: “MacCallum Mhor,” Loco F 248, built by Vulcan Foundry Co. in 1875. This locomotive is still in service.

Bottom: Broad gauge shunting locomotive No. 9, built by Neilson and Co., Glasgow, in 1872. Cylinders 9in. × 16in. Driving wheels 3ft. diameter. Weight in working order, 12 ton 4 cwt‥ This locomotive was used on Canterbury broad gauge lines from 1873 to 1875.

“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.

Some Early Engines.

When the General Government (after the passing of the famous Public Works Act of 1870) commenced the construction of railways of the standard (3ft. 6in.) gauge, the engines for the Canterbury lines were, in like manner, known officially by numbers. The engines were not then classed as at present, but in some cases the letters NGB or NGT (as a description of the subsequent G and J classes), were painted on the buffers in addition to the distinguishing numbers. The photograph of the opening of the Waimate Branch, reproduced in a former issue of the Magazine (August, 1927), shows engine No. 13 of the (subsequent) old A class.

When (in anticipation of the completion of the South Island main lines), the Hurunui-Bluff section was placed under one management, the locomotive numbers in use up to that time were superseded by a general renumbering and classification—commencing from Invercargill. F1, F2, M3, M4, C5, D6, and so on, up to K97, the latter locomotive being stationed at Christchurch. This original numbering has not been preserved, as when the engines were sold or transferred to other sections, their numbers were allotted to others. In consequence of this re-allocation of numbers it is, unfortunately, not now possible to identify the old locomotives. (For example, on the South Island Main Lines, three different engines have had the number 51.)

“Stanley,” Loco Q17. Built by Rogers and Co. in 1878 for Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company. Cylinders 11in. × 18in.—Driving wheels 4ft. diameter.

“Lincoln” and “Washington.”

In 1877 several engines were imported from America to run the proposed express trains. Two of these engines, K87 and K88 (the first imported), were named “Lincoln” and “Washington,” respectively. The builders of these engines (Rogers Locomotive Works), supplied the Department with six similar engines, but the latter were not named. About the same time four engines were imported for the Southland lines. Two of these (M89 and M90), were transferred to the Canterbury section, one being named “Mazeppa,” and the other “Corsair.” The class M engines, which were originally of the 0-6-0 type, were afterwards rebuilt (with a different wheel arrangement), so that they might run on the lighter lines. However, in the repainting of the engines their names were not retained. (These particular engines were subsequently running in the Hawke's Bay district.) It is understood the names of the original K class engines were picked out in nickel studs on the panels of the cab. If this be so, and the engines are still running with the original cabs, the names are probably still in existence.

“Washington,” Loco. K88. Built by Rogers and Co. in 1878. Eight of this type of engine were imported, the last being scrapped recently. Cylinders 12in. × 20in.” Diameter of driving wheels 4ft. 1in.

“Stanley” and “Livingston.”

Shortly after the importation of the engines referred to, the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway Company imported two engines for their line—which is now known as the Methven Branch. These engines were also built by the Rogers Locomotive Works. They were somewhat similar in appearance to the class K type, but were double ended (and had a shorter tender) to enable them to run in either direction without turning. They were named “Stanley” and “Livingston.” When taken over by the Railway Department they were classed and numbered Q17 and Q51. They ran for a time on the main lines and were then broken page 46 up. The present Q class engines must not be confused with them for the latter are of a much larger and more powerful type.

“Josephine” and “Rose.”

The first two engines in Otago (imported in 1872 for the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Railway) were named “Josephine” and “Rose.” The engine “Josephine,” after a checkered career in both Islands of New Zealand was sold to be broken up, but through the kindness of Messrs. Smellie Bros., of Burnside, it was rescued by the Railway Department and became the property of the Otago Early Settlers Association. This historic locomotive now stands near the Early Settlers Hall, adjacent to Dunedin Railway Station. The engine “Rose” had a short life and was dismantled at Hillside Shops. The engines “Josephine” and “Rose” were built by the Vulcan Foundry Co., Newton le Willows, for Slaughter Grunning & Co. (afterwards the Avonside Engine Co.), of Bristol. The “Josephine” was numbered E24 in Dunedin, which number, however, was altered to E175 when this pioneer engine was removed to Wanganui. The number of the engine “Rose” is not known.

“Rose.” Built by Slaughter, Grunning, Bristol, in 1874. Double Fairlie class, sister engine to “Josephine.” Photo taken at “Burke's” brewery, Port Chalmers line, in January, 1875.

Other Noted Names.

On commencement of the construction of the Dunedin-Clutha line two engines (subsequently F11 and F13) were obtained from Neilson, of Glasgow. These engines were named “Rob Roy” and “Peveril,” respectively. Later engines for the Otago railways were named after characters of Sir Walter Scott's works, but unfortunately these cannot be identified. They were: “Pirate,” “Waverley,” “Meg. Merrilies,” “Edie Ochiltree,” “Roderick Dhu,” and others. A small Double Fairlie (B27) was christened “Lady Mordaunt” by the staff, but it is doubtful whether the name was officially recognised She was a dainty little engine with rounded tank tops and brass dome covers and handrails. The name was that of a lady whose charms attracted some attention in England about that time. This engine worked the trains on the Dunedin Peninsula and Ocean Beach Co's line, for some time, but was later transferred to Wanganui and was then numbered E165.

Two small engines, imported and erected in Dunedin by Conyers and Davidson, of the Otago Foundry, were named “Kiwi” and “Weka.” These were originally classed P, but their numbers are not recorded. The “Kiwi,” it is understood, was sold early. The “Weka” was sent to Wanganui and was sold to the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co. When the Manawatu line was acquired by the Government the “Weka,” with the other rolling stock of the company, was taken over by the Railway Department.

On completion of the line from Makikihi to Waitaki North, in February, 1877, the page 47 Oamaru section was incorporated in the Canterbury lines. There were then, at Oamaru, three engines named “Bothwell,” “Saladin,” and “Roswald.” These engines were afterwards classed and numbered F72, F73, and F74. In due course the above engines went to Addington Shops and their names disappeared. There was also a small engine known as “Robina” (afterwards S52) working on the Breakwater line.

“Lady Mordaunt.”
Loco. B165, built by Avonside Engine Co. in 1874. Double Fairlie class. First ran in Otago, but was later transferred to Wanganui about 1886. Photo taken at Patea with race train from Wanganui to Hawera.

The “Corsair” and Others.

In Southland the original lines (Bluff-Winton), were of 4ft. 8 ½in. gauge. There were three locomotives of the gauge mentioned which were sold on the conversion of the lines to the standard (3ft. 6in.) gauge. There were also, in Southland, three locomotives of the Davies pattern. These latter were intended to run on a wooden tramway between Invercargill and Makarewa. They were not a success. One of the Davies engines which was in commission for a time was named “Lady Barkly.” This engine was sold subsequently to a sawmiller, and was used to run the mill. (The name, “Lady Barkly,” is perpetuated in the siding of that name on the Kingston line, where the sawmill was situated.) So far as is known no other engine of the broad gauge type had a name. Replacing the “Lady Barkly” was a locally built engine (which ran on the tramway for a time), but there is no record of its having been named. The standard (3ft. 6in.) gauge engines of the M class were named “Werner,” “Manfred,” “Mazeppa,” and “Corsair.” The first two were numbered 3 and 4 respectively. The other two were transferred to Christchurch as previously mentioned.

“Ada” and “Snake.”

On the North Island lines some names can be traced from photographs. The engine (class F) of the first train between Auckland and Onehunga was named “Ada,” after Mrs. Henderson, wife of the local representative of the contractors (Brogden and Sons). In Auckland there were also a Double Fairlie named “Snake,” and five other Class F engines, named “Ivanhoe,” “Marmion,” “Jeanie Deans,” “Lord of the Isles,” “Lady of the Lake.” On the Kaipara-Riverhead line there was a Class D engine named “Schnapper,” and on the Wellington section a class D engine named “Eel,” and a class C engine named “Belmont.” There were also two small locomotives built by E. W. Mills & Co. These were named “Wallaby” and “Opossum.” The “Wallaby” was sent to Wanganui where it was sold by the Railway Department to the Manawatu County Council for use on the Sandon page 48 -Carnarvon tramway, and, it is understood, ended its days supplying power for working a flaxmill.

No doubt some of the older readers of the Magazine can further supplement the information herein set forth on engine names in New Zealand, and thus add to our knowledge of a very interesting subject.

Fifty-Five Years Ago.
(Photo, G. Cartwright Hamilton)
The departure from Auckland (on Christmas Eve. 1873) of the first train to run on the Auckland-Waikato Railway The train was hauled by a class “F” locomotive named “Ada”—after Mrs. Henderson wife of the local representative of the contractors, Brogden and Sons. The driver of the train was Mr. T. O'Brien and the fireman Mr. W. Granger.

“Snake.”
Loco. B51. Built by Avonside Engine Coy. In 1874. Phot taken at Pukekoe road crossing about 1883. Double Fairlie Class 4 ft 9 in. × 16 in. cylinders, and 3 ft. 3 in. driving wheels. In the cab may be seen Driver Cook