Locomotive [Steam (L 507) (aka L 207)]
Maker and role
Avonside Engine Company Limited, Manufacturer
New Zealand Railways, Commissioned by
John Carruthers, Designer
Production date
1877
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1971.204
Production period
Description
L507 is a 2-4-0 (wheel arrangement) side tank steam locomotive equipped with Westinghouse brakes. The locomotive is painted in all black with a brown and gold trim.
Specifications (1888):
Wheel arrangement: 2-4-0T
Weight: 18.5 tons (20 tons in 1958)
Cylinder diameter: 10½"
Cylinder stroke: 18"
Diameter of coupled wheels: 36"
Working Pressure: 130 psi (160 psi in 1958)
Specifications (1888):
Wheel arrangement: 2-4-0T
Weight: 18.5 tons (20 tons in 1958)
Cylinder diameter: 10½"
Cylinder stroke: 18"
Diameter of coupled wheels: 36"
Working Pressure: 130 psi (160 psi in 1958)
Brief History
This type of locomotive was one of several attempts to produce a passenger locomotive for the lightly laid early railways of New Zealand. Designed by John Carruthers, it was one of ten 2-4-0T locomotives built in 1877 by The Avonside Engine Company, Bristol. The L was a side-tank locomotive and had its leading axle mounted in "Widmark" radial axle-boxes. This engine entered service with the New Zealand Railways in Wellington on 17th August 1878. It was shown on the Public Works Department North Island, Wellington section 1878 list as No.41, until renumbered "207" in 1890. On the 9th November 1901 L 207 was sold for £500.00 to The Public Works Department and was allocated the number 507. It worked on the construction of the North Island Main Trunk in the Taihape area and other lines, including the East Coast Main Trunk line through the Bay of Plenty, last noted at Tauranga in 1922. It also saw service in the Stratford to Okahukura sections in the Wanganui District. In August 1908, L 507 was entrusted with the job of hauling the Parliamentary Special, the first through passenger train from Wellington to Auckland, so that Ministers of Parliament could visit the Great White Fleet (US) in Auckland harbour. Temporary track was laid to complete the partially completed central section still under Public Works Department control north of Ohakune. In 1931, the Public Works Department sold the locomotive to the New Plymouth Harbour Board where it worked for several years. The Harbour Board then sold it in 1954 to Wilsons Portland (NZ) Cement Company, who also acquired L 208 and 219. The locomotive was renumbered to no. 9 and was painted in a bright blue livery. Along with the two others, this locomotive hauled rock from the quarries in a shuttle service known as the "Quarry Run", as well as finished product to the New Zealand Railways siding for distribution. In 1967, Wilsons (NZ) Portland Cement Company presented it to MOTAT. This locomotive is in use on the Western Springs Railway.
Marks
1205 Maker's Mark
L / 207 Maker's Plate
THE WESTINGHOUSE / BRAKE COMPANY / LIMITED / [No...] / LONDON / MADE IN / LONDON WORKS / [No 16131] Maker's Plate
THE AVONSIDE ENGINE CO LIMITED / No1205 / ENGLAND / 1877 / BRISTOL Maker's Plate
L / 207 Maker's Plate
THE WESTINGHOUSE / BRAKE COMPANY / LIMITED / [No...] / LONDON / MADE IN / LONDON WORKS / [No 16131] Maker's Plate
THE AVONSIDE ENGINE CO LIMITED / No1205 / ENGLAND / 1877 / BRISTOL Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Avonside Engine Company Limited et al. 1877. Locomotive [Steam (L 507) (aka L 207)], 1971.204. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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