History
By the late 1870s there was a distinct need for a powerful type of locomotive to operate the steep section of the Main South Line between Dunedin and Oamaru. As the success of the K class demonstrated the suitability of American locomotives to New Zealand's railways, an order was placed with the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1879 for six 2-8-0 tender locomotives. Based on a design already used for the Denver and Rio Grande, it was much less decorative than the K class, but this did not detract from its performance capabilities. The largest and most powerful locomotives in the country upon their introduction, the backhead of the boiler protruded a very long way into the cab leaving very little room for the driver or fireman.
Read more about this topic: NZR T Class
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