The prototype Ed class locomotive No. 101 was built by English Electric in the UK and was shipped to New Zealand. It is distinguished from the others of its class by three side stripes made of metal. The remaining nine were assembled by New Zealand Railways in their workshops.
The introduction of the locos allowed the then-new Tawa Deviation and the Wellington-Paekakariki section to be operated by electric locomotives to reduce smoke from steam engines. Two of the class, built at Addington, were initially deployed on the Otira to Arthur's Pass section but proved unsuitable for this work and were transferred north to join the others. The North Island locos were intended for passenger service and had train heating boilers fitted (which were later removed).
The Ed's were the first electric locos in NZ to have quill drive and were equipped for multiple unit operation although it was rare to see two on a train. They were found to be rather hard on the track and maximum speed was reduced in later years.
Diesel traction was introduced on the Wellington to Paekakariki section in 1967 resulted in eight of the class being withdrawn two years later. Ed 103 continued in use until March 1981 when it was put in storage for preservation on the Ferrymead Railway. 103 subsequently arrived at Ferrymead in September 1983. It was painted in 1988 for display purposes, but there are no plans at present to restore it to working order.
