Model steam locomotive

Te Papa's collection of model locomotives and rolling stock is largely the work of craftsman and railway enthusiast Frank Roberts (1882-1963). Born in 1882, Roberts spent seventeen years as a cleaner, fireman, and driver for the Railways Department. He and his brother Jack then became partners in an electrical firm, although much of Roberts' time was spent developing a garden railway at his home in Epsom, Auckland.

An accurate record
Roberts built 1:24 scale models of New Zealand steam locomotives. He worked from photographs, close observation, and his own memories, rather than from plans. His model locomotives and his brother George's models of rolling stock provide an accurate record of the equipment of the Railways Department from the 1870s to the 1930s.

Centennial highlight
The high point of Roberts' career as a model maker came when he was commissioned by the Railways Department to operate a large working layout at the Centennial Exhibition (1939-1940) in Wellington. Thousands of visitors saw the model railway, and many considered it the Exhibition's greatest attraction.

Acquisition
In 1950, Roberts sold his models to the Railways Department. They were widely exhibited for many years, and Roberts was employed to maintain them to museum display standard. In 1993, just before it was privatised, New Zealand Rail Ltd gifted its collection of heritage models, including more recent work by other model makers, to Te Papa.

D class locomotives
Frank Roberts made this model of one of New Zealand Railways' D class 2-4-0T tank locomotives in 1928. The first D class locomotive entered service in 1874, having been built by Neilson Company in Scotland. By 1880, twenty-one D class locomotives had been ordered from Neilson's and another Scottish manufacturer, Dubs Company. In 1884, the New Zealand Government, reacting to public criticism of its policy of importing locomotives, ordered a further ten from the Christchurch firm Scott Brothers. Roberts' model is of D 109, which was built by Scott Brothers in 1888. D class locomotives remained in service with New Zealand Railways until 1927, and some served for many more years in private industry.

Seven D class locomotives have survived.
D 6 (Neilson) is partially dismantled and stored at Ocean Beach, Dunedin.
D 16 (Neilson) is operational at Pleasant Point, south Canterbury.
D 137 (Scott) is stored at Silver Stream Railway, Upper Hutt.
D 140 (Scott) is under restoration at Ferrymead, Christchurch.
D 143 (Neilson) is partially restored at Silver Stream Railway, Upper Hutt.
D 170 (Neilson) is on static display at Helensville.
D 221 (Neilson) is cosmetically restored at Kaitaia.