Ab Class

A DigitalNZ Story by Graham Anderson

Image: Photograph of locomotives AB 832 and F 180

Photograph of locomotives AB 832 and F 180

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 778

Photograph of locomotive AB 778

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

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Image: Photograph of locomotive Ab 832

Photograph of locomotive Ab 832

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

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Image: Steam locomotive Ab832

Steam locomotive Ab832

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 778

Photograph of locomotive AB 778

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 663

Photograph of locomotive AB 663

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 778

Photograph of locomotive AB 778

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Image: Photograph of AB locomotive tender

Photograph of AB locomotive tender

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

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Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Steam locomotive Ab 824, Newmarket, 1959

Steam locomotive Ab 824, Newmarket, 1959

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: Locomotive Ab 752, Whangarei station, 1959

Locomotive Ab 752, Whangarei station, 1959

MOTAT

Image: Photograph of locomotive AB 832

Photograph of locomotive AB 832

MOTAT

Image: The conning tower of the locomotive

The conning tower of the locomotive

Auckland Libraries

Image: Cab fittings of Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Cab fittings of Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Interior view of the cab of an "Ab" class steam locomotive, showing the boiler

Interior view of the cab of an "Ab" class steam locomotive, showing the boiler

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tender of an Ab class locomotive, 1917

Tender of an Ab class locomotive, 1917

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Steam locomotive, "Ab" Class, No 612 (4-6-2 type)

Steam locomotive, "Ab" Class, No 612 (4-6-2 type)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class steam locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2)

Ab class steam locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Two steam locomotives, "Ww" 645 on the left, probably at Hillside Railway Workshops.

Two steam locomotives, "Ww" 645 on the left, probably at Hillside Railway Workshops.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2), 1917

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2), 1917

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Class Ab steam locomotive with passenger train passing Mangapehi

Class Ab steam locomotive with passenger train passing Mangapehi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class steam locomotive (NZR number 662, 4-6-2)

Ab class steam locomotive (NZR number 662, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Smokebox of Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Smokebox of Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Kingston Flyer, an Ab 795 class, steam locomotive

Kingston Flyer, an Ab 795 class, steam locomotive

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Train with two "Ab" class steam locomotives rounding a bend in the Dunedin area

Train with two "Ab" class steam locomotives rounding a bend in the Dunedin area

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Steam locomotive with passenger train at Matamata

Steam locomotive with passenger train at Matamata

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: AB Class Locomotive

AB Class Locomotive

Palmerston North City Library

Image: AB Locomotive

AB Locomotive

Palmerston North City Library

Image: AB and KA Class Locomotives

AB and KA Class Locomotives

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Inside View of a AB Locomotive Cab

Inside View of a AB Locomotive Cab

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Locomotives at the Railway Yards

Locomotives at the Railway Yards

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Locomotives in the Palmerston North Railway Yards

Locomotives in the Palmerston North Railway Yards

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Locomotives - Palmerston North Railway Yards

Locomotives - Palmerston North Railway Yards

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Train - AB 819

Train - AB 819

Palmerston North City Library

Image: (W. W. Stewart, photo.). A modern passenger train on the New Zealand Railways, hauled by an “A.B.” locomotive

(W. W. Stewart, photo.). A modern passenger train on the New Zealand Railways, hauled by an “A.B.” locomotive

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Oiling Up For The Day'S Run. — (Photo, W. W. Stewart.) — A New Zealand-built locomotive (Class Ab.) at Palmerston North Station, North Island

Oiling Up For The Day'S Run. — (Photo, W. W. Stewart.) — A New Zealand-built locomotive (Class Ab.) at Palmerston North Station, North Island

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: (Rly. Publicity photo.) A broadcast from the cab of a locomotive at Wellington during the Road Safety Campaign at present being: conducted in New Zealand

(Rly. Publicity photo.) A broadcast from the cab of a locomotive at Wellington during the Road Safety Campaign at present being: conducted in New Z...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Getting Ready For The Road — (Rly. Publicity Photo.) — Flashlight photograph in the locomotive sheds at Palmerston North. Preparing an Ab class engine for a night run

Getting Ready For The Road — (Rly. Publicity Photo.) — Flashlight photograph in the locomotive sheds at Palmerston North. Preparing an Ab class eng...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Modern Methods in our Workshops. — (Illustration No. 2.) (Photo, J. Sheriff, Dunedin.) — The illustration shows the first locomotive (Ab. 807) being weighed over the new weigh-pit at Hillside Workshops

Modern Methods in our Workshops. — (Illustration No. 2.) (Photo, J. Sheriff, Dunedin.) — The illustration shows the first locomotive (Ab. 807) bein...

Victoria University of Wellington

Image: Upper Hutt railway yard; Ab-class locomotive, water vat - October 1953.

Upper Hutt railway yard; Ab-class locomotive, water vat - October 1953.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number illegible

New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number illegible

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Silverstream railway station; Ab-class locomotive with southbound passenger train.

Silverstream railway station; Ab-class locomotive with southbound passenger train.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number illegible

New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number illegible

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Steam engine at Cross Creek Station : Photographs

Steam engine at Cross Creek Station : Photographs

Wairarapa Archive

Other

“Ab”, the first standard general-purpose locomotive, built at Addington, 1917

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Train at Summit Station : Photograph

Train at Summit Station : Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: General view of the Masterton Railway Station and goods-yards: Photograph

General view of the Masterton Railway Station and goods-yards: Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Engine 826 climbing into Cross Creek : Photograph

Engine 826 climbing into Cross Creek : Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Royal train at Cross Creek : Photograph

Royal train at Cross Creek : Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: The Royal train arriving at Cross Creek

The Royal train arriving at Cross Creek

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Children on trains at Cross Creek Station : Photograph

Children on trains at Cross Creek Station : Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Steam locomotive

Steam locomotive

Auckland Libraries

Image: Steam and diesel trains at Glen Eden.

Steam and diesel trains at Glen Eden.

Auckland Libraries

Image: Helensville to Auckland train near Glen Eden.

Helensville to Auckland train near Glen Eden.

Auckland Libraries

Image: AB engine on turntable.

AB engine on turntable.

Auckland Libraries

Image: [South Bound Express derailment, Timaru]

[South Bound Express derailment, Timaru]

South Canterbury Museum

Image: AB class steam locomotive number 698

AB class steam locomotive number 698

Auckland Libraries

Image: Jacking the damaged locomotive back on to the rails

Jacking the damaged locomotive back on to the rails

Auckland Libraries

Image: Train at Arthur's Pass, 1929

Train at Arthur's Pass, 1929

Auckland Libraries

Image: The Royal Train at Greymouth, 1954

The Royal Train at Greymouth, 1954

Auckland Libraries

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 829, 4-6-2)

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 829, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 829, 4-6-2)

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 829, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Steam locomotive hauling a passenger train

Steam locomotive hauling a passenger train

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "Ab" Class steam locomotive 783 (4-6-2 type)

"Ab" Class steam locomotive 783 (4-6-2 type)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2), 1917

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 658, 4-6-2), 1917

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2), 1917

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2), 1917

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A steam train and locomotive on parallel railway lines, Maungaturoto.

A steam train and locomotive on parallel railway lines, Maungaturoto.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Steam locomotive "Passchendaele", "Ab" 608 (4-6-2 type)

Steam locomotive "Passchendaele", "Ab" 608 (4-6-2 type)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Joseph Gordon Coates speaking with the driver of locomotive Ab825 at Auckland Railway Station

Joseph Gordon Coates speaking with the driver of locomotive Ab825 at Auckland Railway Station

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Erecting shop, Petone railway workshops

Erecting shop, Petone railway workshops

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Petone Railway Workshops. Interior view of the erecting shop circa 1921.

Petone Railway Workshops. Interior view of the erecting shop circa 1921.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Locomotives in Palmerston North Railway Yards

Locomotives in Palmerston North Railway Yards

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Negatives and prints of trains and New Plymouth transport

Negatives and prints of trains and New Plymouth transport

Puke Ariki

Image: Trains

Trains

Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank

Image: Train AB 816

Train AB 816

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Train AB 737

Train AB 737

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Derailed train

Derailed train

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Train Engine

Train Engine

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Rakaia Railway Station, Canterbury, New Zealand 1928

Rakaia Railway Station, Canterbury, New Zealand 1928

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Rakaia Railway Station, Canterbury, New Zealand 1928

Rakaia Railway Station, Canterbury, New Zealand 1928

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Steam train leaving Auckland Railway Station, 1940s

Steam train leaving Auckland Railway Station, 1940s

Auckland Libraries

Image: Train - AB 737

Train - AB 737

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Special passenger train at Summit Station : Photograph

Special passenger train at Summit Station : Photograph

Wairarapa Archive

Image: Train AB 816

Train AB 816

Palmerston North City Library

Image: Train passing through Kaitoke Station

Train passing through Kaitoke Station

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Waipara train streams out of Christchurch station past waiting Ashburton train, 1950

Waipara train streams out of Christchurch station past waiting Ashburton train, 1950

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Express train near Greymouth

Express train near Greymouth

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Train travelling towards Cross Creek

Train travelling towards Cross Creek

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number 663

New Zealand Railways locomotive, Ab 4-6-2 class; number 663

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Auckland Railway Station.

Auckland Railway Station.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Auckland Railway Yards.

Auckland Railway Yards.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Two steam locomotives, Petone railway workshops, Lower Hutt

Two steam locomotives, Petone railway workshops, Lower Hutt

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Ab class locomotive (New Zealand Railways, number 608, 4-6-2)

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Must run to schedule. The Dunedin-Christchurch express. So heavy is the demand on these engines that they seldom see the sheds. (NZ Truth, 04 July 1929)

Must run to schedule. The Dunedin-Christchurch express. So heavy is the demand on these engines that they seldom see the sheds. (NZ Truth, 04 July ...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Taranaki's day of celebration: interesting sidelights at the opening of the new railway last week

Taranaki's day of celebration: interesting sidelights at the opening of the new railway last week

Auckland Libraries