NZR Tank Locomotive A62 (Steam Engine)

It’s not all cars at the Packard Motor Museum. Our oldest vehicle is a steam locomotive built in 1873, referred to by us as Dubs. In the early 1870’s the Hon. Julius Vogel proposed the Public Works Act which kicked off the establishment of the railways in New Zealand.A whole range of tank engines were ordered from England and Scotland to power this railway. They were labelled with a letter indicating their class. The A of the A62, designated the first engines used to build this railway system.

Twelve Dubs engines were ordered from Henry Dubs’ Glasgow locomotive works. Our Dubs ended up hauling logs across the beach trestles from North Piha to the sawmill up the Piha Valley. The trouble was sand constantly blew in from the west and built up on the rails. Although men were engaged to keep the track clear it wasn’t uncommon for the locomotive to tip over.We have some great photos of Dubs being hauled upright and onto the tracks by men using only ropes, screw jacks, timber jacks, crowbars etc. Today you would call in a crane.

In 1926 Dubs was retired and put on display outside the Otahuhu railway workshops. She sat there for thirty years until Jack Ryder purchased her and took her to his museum. Again A62 sat.

Finally Graeme Craw purchased the train, but to move it, Dubs had to be completely dismantled. Graeme took delivery of several truck and trailer loads of A62 parts. These were transported to the museum at Maungatapere.

Now the daunting task of putting the engine back together confronted Graeme and his team. It turned out most parts were stamped with the Works number of the engine and whether they were left or right.

Many hours were spent sandblasting, welding, painting etc. New water tanks needed to be made and a new matai tongue and groove roof made. Finally the early whale-oil headlights were fitted. Project completed. Now visitors can view the Dubs A62 in our Steam Room.