New Zealand - Steam Locomotives 1 of 3 - Pilgrim (Silver)

New Zealand - Steam Locomotives 1 of 3 - Pilgrim (Silver)

New Zealand's First
Pilgrim
1863
Steam Locomotive

N.Z. STEAM LOCOMOTIVE MEDALLION No. 1 OF A SERIES OF THREE
In 1863 N.Z. Locomotive history was made when an English Steam Locomotive "Pilgrim" hauled the first train between Christchurch and Ferrymead.

Pilgrim was purchased brand new from the Melbourne & Essendon Railways after being built by Slaughter, Gruning & Co. This 2-4-0 type Loco was quite fast having at times exceeded 60mph and was in use up till 1929.

The last steam locomotives to be used in New Zealand on a regular mainline service were J.A. 1240 and J.A. 1250 In October 1971 they hauled the Invercargill — Christchurch and Christchurch — Dunedin express trains. Steam locomotive J.A. 1267 was last used on its "Steam Finale" trip in July, 1972, from Wellington to Frankton where it was delivered to its present owners the N.Z. Railway and Locomotive Society, Inc. (Waikato Branch). Although the sleek J.A. type locomotives were the last to be used on N.Z. mainline services two "A.B." type steam locomotives are still being used for the summer holiday season "Kingston Flyer Trains". The J.A. type locomotive is considered by many to be the zenith in N.Z. locomotive design. The N.Z.R. Hillside Workshops completed an order for 35 in 1956 the first of which appeared in 1946. These magnificent general purpose locomotives were rated to haul 800 tons of goods and 400 ton passenger trains. J.A. 1267 has hauled a 300 ton train between Tinwald and Washdyke at an average speed of 59.4mph at times reaching 67mph. Medallion Designed and Circulated by WAIKATO MINT Hamilton New Zealand. Striking of 20 Gold, 480 Silver and unspecified Copper and Aluminium.