A & G Price started building flax milling machines in 1868 on Auckland. In 1871 they followed the Coromandel gold rush, setting up in Thames where they still exist today. As well as mining equipment they built locomotives and undertook general engineering.
Premises in early 1900s.
1912 0-4-4-4-4-0 Price 16-Wheeler
The 16-wheeler was a copy of several designs, the concept coming from the earlier Johnston 16-wheeler but using skew bevel gears based on the Climax A. A vertical two-cylinder marine type engine (cylinders 7" x 10" 190 x 254 mm) mounted in the cab and driving a line shaft via a two-speed transmission drove the locomotive. Skew bevels then provided drive to all axles. It was designed to negotiate a 66 feet (20-metre) radius curve and weighed 36 tonnes, being heavier than its Johnston counterpart, and with an axle loading of 2.25 tonnes. Like most geared engines they were not particularly fast and did not perform on line haul work but did a magnificent job on the bush branch trackage. Four 16-wheelers were constructed, the very first one in 1912 lasting in service until 1951, a good record.
The Mountain Rimu Timber Co. Price 16-wheeler at Mamaku.
Length 32'-3" (9843 mm), Wheelbase 24'-4' (7417 mm), Truck wheelbase 2'-6" (762 mm), Boiler pressure 160 psi (1103 kPa), Wheel diam. 20" (508 mm)
1923 0-4-4-0 Price-E
The Type E could be said to be a straight copy of the Climax B but used the Price copy of the Heisler truck. The line shaft drove the leading axle via a straight bevel gear and coupling rods transmitted the power to the trailing axle. The locomotive competed with both the Climax and Heisler on the New Zealand scene. Piston valves were used on this 23 to 26 tonne lokey. Four of this type were built, but later a heavier, upgraded version was made
The photo shows a Type E as delivered to George Syme in the Matahina forest, 1936.
Length 27'-6" (8382 mm), Wheelbase 20'-9" (6325 mm), Truck wheelbase 3'-9" (1143 mm), Boiler pressure 160 psi (1103 kPa), Cylinders 9" x 12" (241 x 305 mm), Wheel diam. 28" (711 mm).
1943 Type V
The A & G Price Type V, the last steam locomotive crafted in 1943, was inspired by the American Heisler design. Featuring two cylinders arranged in a V form in front of the firebox, it employed conventional universal joints and sliding shafts for power transmission to the trucks. The locomotive, with Heisler-style coupling, served its owner for 17 years and now stands restored at the Canterbury Steam Preservation Society's track. Notably, it might be the last geared steam logging locomotive built globally. The story goes that A & G Price received an order for a Heisler locomotive in 1943 from Ogilvie and Co, sawmillers of Hokitika, who wanted to purchase a Heisler locomotive but were unable to do so as production of Heisler locomotives had ceased in 1941. The resulting locomotive, maker's No 148, was the last Heisler-design steam locomotive to be built, and closely followed Heisler practice but with the addition of a Belpaire firebox and front-mounted water tanks that featured a unique curved leading edge.
Pictured at work with Ogilvies at Gladstone, West Coast.
Key specs: Length 27'-3½", Wheelbase 20'-9½", Truck wheelbase 3'-9½", Weight 21.3 tonnes, Boiler pressure 200 psi, Cylinders 11½" x 12½", Wheel diameter 28"
