NZR EC class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NZR EC class | |
 NZR EC class No. 7 at the Ferrymead Railway for the Easter 2008 railfan event. |
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| Power type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | English Electric, United Kingdom |
| Build date | 1928 |
| UIC classification | Bo-Bo |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Length | 12 m |
| Total weight | 50 t |
| Electric system | 1,500 V DC |
| Traction motors | 4 |
| Top speed | 85 km/h |
| Power output | 885 kW / 1188 hp |
| Career | New Zealand Railways |
| Class | EC |
| Number in class | 6 |
| Number | 7 - 12 |
| Locale | Christchurch - Lyttelton |
| First run | 1929-02-14 |
| Last run | 1970-09-18 |
| Disposition | Withdrawn; 1 preserved |
The NZR EC class was a class of electric locomotive used in Christchurch, New Zealand. Their primary use was replacing steam locomotives for the trains pulled through the Heathcote Tunnel to and from Lyttelton.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In 1929 the Christchurch to Lyttelton section was electrified in order to reduce smoke nuisance in the 2.6 km Heathcote Tunnel. Six EC class locomotives were purchased from English Electric exclusively for this work. They worked for more than 40 years until the section was dieselised in 1970, by which stage three locos were already withdrawn.
[edit] Preservation
Class leader EC 7 along with EO 3 was transported to Ferrymead by road in 1972 and stored by the tramway section until 1977 when it was shifted onto the railway tracks. In 1978, part of the Ferrymead line was fitted with catenary overhead and in 1980, some test runs were done with EC 7 at 600V using the tramway power supply.
Construction of a substation able to supply the railway, tramway and trolley buses was subsequently commenced and in November 1988, it was officially opened with trains hauled by EC 7 on the electrified section of the Railway. EC 7 is periodically operated at the Park, sometimes double-headed with EO 3 or one of the other electric locos there.
[edit] External Link
[edit] References
- Parsons, David, New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002, (2002), Chapter 1, ISBN 0-908573-78-2
