to the Engine drivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association (EFCA), as was the lack of power-reversing gear, the latter being remediated in 1941 when Ragonnet power-reversing gear was installed. Although said to run well if kept in good repair, the G class were highly unpopular and the EFCA resolved that the class could not be used in regular service after 31 March 1956 due to visibility concerns created by the steam leaks. Withdrawal Because the locomotives would need to be radically rebuilt as two-cylinder 4-6-2s, a highly costly proposal which was not seen to be worth the effort, the decision was made to retire the now badly worn-out G class locomotives after reaching a certain mileage. Both G 96 and G 97 were withdrawn in March 1956 as having reached their allotted mileage; the remaining four locomotives remained in service until the end of May 1956 despite their deteriorating condition, owing to the lack of available replacement locomotives. Despite being withdrawn in 1956, several G class locomotives were not scrapped straight away but remained at Linwood locomotive depot in Christchurch until the early 1960s, when they were broken up for scrap. See also NZR Q class (1901) NZR A/AD class (1906) NZR AA class NZR AB class Locomotives of New Zealand References Citations Bibliography External links Photo of a Garratt locomotive steaming out of Wellington on preliminary trials NZR G class – Garratt NZR G class – 4-6-2 G class Garratt locomotives 4-6-2 locomotives Beyer, Peacock locomotives Scrapped locomotives Railway locomotives introduced in 1928 3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of New Zealand