NZR WAB class

The first locomotives, W^S 686 and W^AB 687, were built from the boilers, frames and engine units initially destined for A^B 666 and A^B 667. These entered service in 1917, W^S 686 in Wellington and W^AB 687 at Taumarunui in the central North Island. Fourteen W^S class locomotives were built between 1917 and 1925: one at Addington workshops (686), five at A & G Price Ltd, Thames (799-803) and eight at Hillside workshops, Dunedin (764-771). All the W^S class were converted to W^AB in 1932-4. Sixteen W^AB class were built between 1918 and 1926: one at Addington (687), 12 at Hillside (786-795) and three at A&G Price (796-798). In July 1922{{Cite web |date=24 July 1922 |title=New locomotives. Evening Post |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19220724.2.96 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} the class was introduced on Auckland (until 1930 at Waitematā) to Papakura suburban services.{{Cite web |date=10 August 1922 |title=Improved facilities to Auckland's suburban railways |url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/239280/rec/1 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz |language=en}} Between 1947{{Cite web |date=8 May 1947 |title=New locomotives. Otago Daily Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19470508.2.47 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} and 1957, 11 W^AB class were converted to A^B class,{{Cite web |date=26 August 1969 |title=Ab... Made History. Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19690826.2.196 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}} following Wellington electrification,{{Cite web |title=FDSR - Wab794 Information |url=http://steamrail.org.nz/vehicles/wab794/wab794info.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=steamrail.org.nz}} to reduce axle loads, for use on lighter lines.{{Cite web |date=6 September 1948 |title=First express ran seventy years ago. Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19480906.2.87 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}

Only three examples of the class remain, with two in their original form as W^ABs:

• W^AB 794 was donated by the Ohai Railway Board in 1968 to the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society and was moved to the Ferrymead Railway, and displayed for the Rail 125 celebrations in 1988.{{sfn|Cavalcade125|1988|p=10}} The locomotive has since been restored and is preserved at Feilding, and has been used on mainline excursions and also on the regular Wellington - Auckland Overlander service.
• W^AB (former W^S) 800 is owned by the Waikato Branch of New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society and was stored for many years at the Te Awamutu Railway Museum. Following the negotiation of a lease agreement, the engine has been moved to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway for eventual restoration to working order.
• A^B (former W^AB) 795 is preserved at Kingston, for use on the "Kingston Flyer".

• NZR W class
• NZR W^A class
• NZR W^B class
• NZR W^D class
• NZR W^E class
• NZR W^F class
• NZR W^G class
• NZR W^W class
• Locomotives of New Zealand

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• {{Cite book | author1=Barry, Colin |author2=Brouwer, John | author3 =Dash, Colin |author4 =Dickenson, Peter|author5=Shalders, Bruce| title=Cavalcade 125 | publication-date=1988 | publisher=Ferrymead 125 Committee | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19528333 | access-date=22 March 2019 |ref={{sfnref|Cavalcade125|1988}}}}
• {{Palmer & Stewart}}

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{{Commons category|NZR Wab class|NZR W^ab class}}

• [http://www.trainweb.org/nzsteam/wab_class.html NZ Steam locomotives - W^AB class]
• Feilding and District Steam Rail Society
• Railway preservation in New Zealand

{{NZR Locomotives}}

Wab class

Category:4-6-4T locomotives

Category:3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of New Zealand

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1917