The E Class battery electric locomotive was ordered by New Zealand Railways to accompany the five EO class locomotives built for the Otira to Arthurs Pass section of the Midland Line. The locomotive was intended for engineering and maintenance work on the line (when the juice would most likely be turned off). The locomotive had a four wheeled battery tender.
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| E Class locomotive [1] |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 1 |
| Built: | 1922 |
| Builder: | English Electric |
| Motor: | 4 DK30 traction motors (battery electric) |
| Power: | 176 hp (131 kW) |
| Wheel arrangement: | Bo-Bo-2 (including battery tender) |
The locomotive unfortunately did not last very long, it was withdrawn from service in 1930 and written off due to problems maintaining the batteries. The locomotive was scrapped though parts of the locomotive were reused elsewhere including the battery tender as a general purpose wagon.
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| E Class locomotive, notice the battery tender [2] |
[1] English Electric Journal (1924 Vol 4) p. 278
[2] "Midland Railway of New Zealand", English Electric Journal (1923 Vol 4) p. 171