NZR WE class

{{Short description|Class of New Zealand 4-6-4T locomotives}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:NZR W^E class}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = NZR W^E class | powertype = Steam | image = "We" class steam locomotive No 198 (4-6-4T type). ATLIB 307350.png | alt = | caption = W^E class No. 198 | designer = | builder = [[New Zealand Railways Department|NZGR]] [[Addington Workshops]] | ordernumber = | serialnumber = | buildmodel = | builddate = 1902, 1943 | totalproduction = 3 | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | whytetype = [[4-6-4]]T | uicclass = | gauge = {{RailGauge|3ft6in|lk=on}} | leadingdiameter = | driverdiameter = {{convert|42.5|in|m|3|abbr=on}} | trailingdiameter = | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = | length = | width = | height = | axleload = | weightondrivers = {{convert|35|LT|abbr=on}} | locoweight = {{convert|55.2|LT|t ST|1|abbr=off}} | tenderweight = | locotenderweight = | tendertype = | fueltype = [[Coal]] | fuelcap = | watercap = | tendercap = | sandcap = | boiler = | boilerpressure = {{convert|180|lbf/in2|kPa|0|abbr=on}} | feedwaterheater = | firearea = {{convert|17.5|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | tubearea = | fluearea = | tubesandflues = | fireboxarea = | totalsurface = {{convert|1037|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | superheatertype = | superheaterarea = | cylindercount = Two, outside | cylindersize = {{convert|16|x|22|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | frontcylindersize= | rearcylindersize = | hpcylindersize = | lpcylindersize = | valvegear = | valvetype = | valvetravel = | valvelap = | valvelead = | transmission = | maxspeed = | poweroutput = | tractiveeffort = {{convert|15780|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}} | factorofadhesion = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | locobrakeforce = | trainbrakes = | safety = | operator = [[New Zealand Railways Department|NZR]] | operatorclass = | powerclass = | numinclass = | fleetnumbers = | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = West Coast | deliverydate = | firstrundate = | lastrundate = | retiredate = | withdrawndate = 1964-1969 | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = Withdrawn, Scrapped | notes = }}

The '''NZR W^E Class''' were rebuilt from earlier [[Sharp Stewart]] built [[NZR B class (1899)|B class]] locomotives. In service, the first two were tried on the Rimutaka Incline, however, they lacked the required [[Rail adhesion|adhesion]] on the 1 in 15 (6.67%) [[grade (slope)|grade]]. They were later transferred to [[Greymouth]] for use on the [[Rewanui Branch|Rewanui Incline]], where they were far more successful, on the railway line's 1 in 25 (4%) grade. It is not known if they ever operated on the [[Blackball Branch|Roa Incline]].

The three We class locomotives lasted until 1964 with the last ones withdrawn from service in 1969.{{sfn|Palmer|Stewart|1965|p=81}}

==See also== * [[NZR W class]] * [[NZR WA class|NZR W^A class]] * [[NZR WB class|NZR W^B class]] * [[NZR WD class|NZR W^D class]] * [[NZR WF class|NZR W^F class]] * [[NZR WG class|NZR W^G class]] * [[NZR WW class|NZR W^W class]] * [[NZR WAB class|NZR W^S / W<sup>AB</SUP> class]] * [[Locomotives of New Zealand]]

==References== {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} *{{When Steam Was King}} * {{Palmer & Stewart}} {{refend}}

{{NZR Locomotives}}

[[Category:Steam locomotives of New Zealand|WE class]] [[Category:4-6-4T locomotives]] [[Category:2′C2′ n2t locomotives]] [[Category:Scrapped locomotives]] [[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1902]] [[Category:3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of New Zealand]]

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