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The New Garratt Locomotives
Powerful and Efficient Machines

The recent importation of three Garratt type of articulated locomotives makes a notable addition to the locomotive stock of our railways. The new machines (which are intended for service on the North Island Main Trunk Line) embody special features in Garratt construction (mechanical stokers, thermic syphons, etc.) suggested by our Chief Mechanical Engineer, Mr. G. S. Lynde, A.M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Loco.E., and are the most powerful and modern of their kind in the world at the present moment. It is confidently anticipated that their introduction will effect considerable economies in locomotive operation.

Although the types of locomotives used on the central portion of the North Island Main Trunk line have given remarkably efficient performance (taking into account their limited tractive effort), the need for more powerful locomotives to meet the insistent demand for increased power on this particular section of our railways has long been recognised.

The success following upon the adoption, by several of the leading railway systems overseas, of the Garratt type of articulated locomotive, suggested this as the most suitable and economical for the hilly portions of our Main Trunk system. Three of these engines were therefore ordered for New Zealand from Messrs. Beyer, Peacock Ltd., Manchester, to specifications prepared by Mr. G. S. Lynde (Chief Mechanical Engineer, N.Z.R.), and are at present being assembled at the Hutt Valley Workshops, Wellington.

In view of the widespread interest, alike amongst railwaymen and members of the public, in the utilisation of the Garratt locomotives on our railways, the following general description of their distinctive characteristics and advantages as compared with existing locomotive types, is printed for the benefit of our readers.