NZR E Class (1872) - Vulcan E Class in Service

Vulcan E Class in Service

At the official opening of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, “Rose” hauled the first official train. Both locomotives continued in service until the railway was amalgamated into the Government system, becoming class “E” and gaining Otago section numbers. In 1879, “Josephine” was used as a banking locomotive south of Oamaru on the first train on the newly-completed Main South Line between Dunedin and Christchurch, hauled by K 88. There was much discussion over whether “Josephine” or the new American locomotive should lead – K 88 kept its position as lead loco. “Josephine” had to be removed from the train at Palmerston, as the driver had forced her to take too much of the load and as a consequence she developed mechanical problems. Upon the general re-numbering of 1888-90 “Josephine” was numbered E 175, and lasted in NZR service until 1900. She was sold to the Public Works Department, re-numbered PWD 504 and used in the construction of railway lines before they were handed over to the Railways Department. She was transferred to the North Island and utilised in the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway before she returned to her former home for the construction of the Otago Central Railway, before her retirement in 1917. Both locomotives had a reputation of being rather unspectacular performers.