Locomotive F 180 [Meg Merrilies]
Maker and role
Yorkshire Engine Company Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1874
See full details
See video
Object detail
Accession number
1966.186
Production period
Description
Steam Locomotive F180 - "Meg Merrilies". Saddle tank, 6 driving wheels (0-6-0 ST). Yorkshire Locomotive Works 1874 0-6-0 saddle tank steam locomotive equipped with Westinghouse brakes.
244/74 built 1874 at Yorkshire Engine to F 180 (0-6-0ST). In service 09/1875. Written off 01/10/1932. Preserved 15/04/1966 MOTAT (`Meg Merrilles'. Restoration commenced 1999.) [source: http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com]
244/74 built 1874 at Yorkshire Engine to F 180 (0-6-0ST). In service 09/1875. Written off 01/10/1932. Preserved 15/04/1966 MOTAT (`Meg Merrilles'. Restoration commenced 1999.) [source: http://nzrailwaysrollingstocklists.weebly.com]
Brief History
Locomotive F 180 was one of 11 Yorkshire built F-class locomotives built in 1874. F 180 "Meg Merrilies" was ordered from the Yorkshire Engine Company of Leeds in June of 1873 and is one of several F class locomotives named after characters from Sir Walter Scott's novels. Meg Merrilies arrived in Wellington in 1874 and sat on crates until sent to Whanganui in 1875, where it made it's way on the Government's Iron Paddle Steamer "Luna" and then by punt to East Town where it was erected and began working in June 1875. Under the Public Works numbering, Meg Merrilies was given the Whanganui Section (Road) number "F"26.
In 1882, it was changed to "F"22 and in 1890, it was allocated its final numbering of "F"180 under the New Zealand Railways numbering system. For almost 30 years it worked between Whanganui and Palmerston North, until larger engines took over the main line. The locomotive was then given mainly shunting duties, notably hauling the first train from Whanganui to Turakina. In this role it worked at various places, including Mangaweka, Marton, Taihape, New Plymouth and Wellington. After 1921, F 180 remained in Whanganui, although it did spend time in Auckland around 1924. Meg Merrilies then went to the East Town workshops in 1932, where it was officially "written off". However, it was spared the scrapper's torch and became their shunter until 1965, when finally retired after ninety years in service.
In March 1966, the last run was made and it was then presented to MOTAT by the Minster of Railways at the time, Honourable J. K. McAlpine. The "Fs" were the second most common steam engines on the New Zealand Railways, 88 being built by various English and Scottish manufacturers. This locomotive has been fully restored and is now operational.
In 1882, it was changed to "F"22 and in 1890, it was allocated its final numbering of "F"180 under the New Zealand Railways numbering system. For almost 30 years it worked between Whanganui and Palmerston North, until larger engines took over the main line. The locomotive was then given mainly shunting duties, notably hauling the first train from Whanganui to Turakina. In this role it worked at various places, including Mangaweka, Marton, Taihape, New Plymouth and Wellington. After 1921, F 180 remained in Whanganui, although it did spend time in Auckland around 1924. Meg Merrilies then went to the East Town workshops in 1932, where it was officially "written off". However, it was spared the scrapper's torch and became their shunter until 1965, when finally retired after ninety years in service.
In March 1966, the last run was made and it was then presented to MOTAT by the Minster of Railways at the time, Honourable J. K. McAlpine. The "Fs" were the second most common steam engines on the New Zealand Railways, 88 being built by various English and Scottish manufacturers. This locomotive has been fully restored and is now operational.
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Yorkshire Engine Company Limited. 1874. Locomotive F 180 [Meg Merrilies], 1966.186. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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