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Now we have the final class of electric locomotives built by English Electric for New Zealand. The Ew class. The 'w' standing for their allocation to Wellington.
The locomotives were unique for their Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement, with a Jacob's bogie in the middle allowing for the locomotive's unique articulation.
Unlike the Ed it was designed to supercede, the Ew was designed for all traffic, including banking. Its 6 traction motors generated 1800 horsepower (though they were demonstrated to be capable of 3600 hp) and could move the locomotive at 60 mph.
In 1983, the class of locomotives was withdrawn and placed into storage.
In 1988, the decision was made to scrap the locomotives, two were preserved, one having been gifted to the Electric Traction Group at Ferrymead (the site of the future NRM) and another was retained for use in the NZR's Heritage Fleet. When the Fleet was dispersed in 2004, the locomotive was purchased by Ian Welch with the intention for running excursions on the electrified mainlines around Wellington.
