The NZR Garratt Story by E.J. McClare

This is a second-hand copy of the book The NZR Garratt Story by E.J. McClare.

Condition: This is a used book in very good condition. The dust jacket has been price-clipped on the lower inside front flap and a previous owners stamps are on the inside endpaper - see photos.

Publisher: NZ Railway & Locomotive Society
Year: 1978
ISBN: 0908573057
Format: Hardback with dustjacket
Pages: 100
Condition: Used (Very Good)

Description:

The distinctive and innovative Garratt steam locomotives which performed well in a number of countries were rated to be one of the most successful articulated designs, which aimed at increasing hauling power without adding to axle loadings or creating problems at rail curves. The design was that of H W Garratt, an Englishman then working in Australia, who developed the concept in about 1907. He convinced the Glasgow locomotive builder Bayer Peacock to produce engines based on his design. They were sold to railways in Britain and South America. Africa, Spain, India, Thailand, and Australia. New Zealand Railways (NZR) examined the possibility of purchasing Garratt locomotives in 1914, however, it was January 1928 before an order for three was placed with Beyer Peacock in Great Britain. and they arrived in NZ early in 1929. Although the Garratts had been proven with many railways worldwide they were a disappointment to NZR. As the author notes "The Garratt type of locomotive and its exploits in New Zealand has been a closed book." The forward to the book states that because their NZ history was not well documented " few will know the reasons they failed here." There is no doubt that Jack McClare's Garratt history presents all the facts regarding the operations of the locomotives by NZR, records their technical problems, modifications and design "shortcomings" and eventual fate. Owing to the lack of previous documentation on the NZR Garratts the book fills an important gap in NZ railway history and is a fascinating read for any transport historian.