Ja 1274 Back On Track At Otago Settlers Museum

The Otago Settlers’ Museum’s iconic Ja 1274 locomotive train will begin to move into its new home between the Museum and the Dunedin Railway Station next week. Contractors, Fulton Hogan Heavy Haulage, will first lay temporary rails on Thursday and Friday 15 and16 December then, using a winch and pulley system, they will carefully pull Ja1274 into position on the morning of Saturday 17 December. Once in place the train will be visible from all sides in its glass and steel enclosure.

Webcam
Follow this special event on our new webcam at www.otago.settlers.museum

History
Weighing in at 146-tonne Ja 1274 is the last of its class built at Dunedin's Hillside Railway Workshops between 1946 and 1956. It has been on display since 1975.

Capable of speeds exceeding 100kmh, the Ja class locomotives operated the express train passenger service in the South Island until they were superseded by Dj class diesels in 1971.