#0344

NZR H class

🇬🇧 United Kingdom ·built by Avonside Engine Company· from 1875· class of 6 New Zealand 0-4-2T Fell locomotives

1 photo from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Cassier's magazine (1904) (14746057366): Internet Archive Book Images· No restrictions

what is it?

The NZR H class steam locomotive is a unique class of Fell locomotive used by New Zealand Railways (NZR) on the Rimutaka Incline, the 3-mile (4.8 km) section of 1 in 15 (6.67 %) gradient between Cross Creek and Summit, over the Rimutaka Ranges.

who runs it

New Zealand Railways Department

base stats

speed 24 km/htop speed
built 6made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 151 years ago, in 1875.
Served for 78 years (1878–1956).

steam locomotive: Burns coal, wood or oil to boil water; the steam drives pistons that turn the wheels.

spec sheet

built: 1875–1886
in service from: 1878
retired: 1956
status: preserved
number built: 6
kind: Steam
traction: steam
origin: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
builders: Avonside Engine Company, Neilson and Company
operators: New Zealand Railways Department
top speed: 24 km/h
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
wheel arrangement: 0-4-2T
length: 7.3 m

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q6956209, Wikipedia: NZR H class (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.