The NZR WE Class were rebuilt from earlier Sharp Stewart built B class locomotives.

In service, the first two were tried on the Rimutaka Incline, however, they lacked the required adhesion on the 1 in 15 (6.67%) grade.

They were later transferred to Greymouth for use on the Rewanui Incline, where they were far more successful, on the line's 1 in 25 (4%) grade.

It is not known if they ever operated on the Roa Incline.

This New Zealand rail-related article is a stub.