PWD 533, a "Baby" Barclay owned by the Ministry of Works used in construction of the line. Dumped intentionally as many other locomotives were in New Zealand for erosion protection. Sister locomotive 531 has recently been restored at the Silver Stream Railway in Wellington, and is practically identical in appearance.
|
I think this was a small Fowler 0-4-0 loco used in line construction, and dumped on the beach along with the rocks to prevent erosion which was common in a number of sites around New Zealand. A number, in better condition than this one, have been exhumed and restored to various states, the most famous being Rogers-built K88. This section of line was finished quite late, being the last 'main trunk' segment, handed over in late 1945, so I suppose they couldn't find a use or buyer for this small construction loco and after the war, scrap metal prices were very low.
|
|