The E
O class was built by English English for New Zealand Railways for use on the Otira to Arthurs Pass section of the 1,067mm gauge Midland Line. This included an 8.5km long tunnel section and was too long and steep for the use of steam locomotives due to ventilation reasons (the
NER ES1 class was built for a similar reason in the UK).
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| Locomotive with both pantographs raised [1] |
| Information |
| Number built: |
5 |
| Built: |
1922 |
| Builder: |
English Electric (Dick Kerr) |
| Motor: |
4 English Electric traction motors (1500v DC OHLE) |
| Power: |
680 hp (510 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: |
Bo-Bo |
The five locomotives worked well in service, often working trains in trios (they could work in multiple). Due to this the locomotives were later modified to just have the one cab at one end. They remained in service until 1968, one has been preserved.
 |
| Hauling a train [1] |
 |
| Emerging from the tunnel [1] |
[1] "Railway electrification in New Zealand", The Electrical Review (March 13 1925) p. 419
