J 1234 on the Opapa Bank, 1993

An easy road number to remember. The 40 members of the North British built 4-8-2 type J class dated from 1939.  The original bullet nose streamlining was later removed as it was an obstacle to easy maintenance and a trap for soot, and 12 of the class were later to converted to oil-burning with the post-war coal shortages.  The use of American Baker valve gear was one of their features.

This photo of one of its many excursions is taken on the Opapa Bank of the Hawke's Bay line.  For photos of genuine workings like this, see the book New Zealand 1950s Steam in Colour. (Robbie McGavin)