Some of you might be wondering what the *real* story is here. So here's a quick thread about R28, who recovered from this serious injury so completely that it is now enjoying a long, quiet retirement in Reefton. https://twitter.com/DrDreHistorian/status/1245519857090617344

R28 is a member of the R class (surprise), which were single Fairlie locomotives. Scottish engineer Robert Fairlie patented the type: the driving wheels are on bogies and were well suited to lightly-built railways with tight curves like those New Zealand had in the 1870s.

The original Fairlies were "double Fairlies", designed to operate in both directions. NZ had two types, classes B and E. "Josephine" (E175) is famous: Otago's first steam loco and NZ's first to be preserved. Here she is the 1870s ( @DocHocken 26022) and at Toitū (me, 2018).

The single Fairlie design is simpler and can carry more water and coal. NZ ordered 25 from the Avonside Engine Co. of Bristol, England: 18 R class built in 1878–79 and then 7 of the larger S class, 1880–81. Here's an S, much bigger than the L class at left! ( @NLNZ 1/2-004667-F)

The R class were versatile and, for their time, speedy—they could crack 50mph (80km/h). R28 was, I think, built first: it has the lowest builder's number, even though it doesn't have the lowest NZR road number. It entered service on 23 May 1879.

Here are two shots of the R class in action. Left is an R class on Jervois Quay, Wellington c.1900, on the former line to Te Aro, closed 1917. Right is R209 in 1902 by great railway photographer A.P. Godber—the young lad is his son William (NLNZ APG-1107-1/2-G and 1/2-106887-F).

So we come to R28 trying to take a dip at Lyttelton! Its brakes malfunctioned on the wharf on 26 March 1907. It gifted its driving wheels to the sea, then came to a fortunate stop. Our boy Godber got the famous pic (NLNZ APG-1426-a-1/4-G). A press account: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT19070327.2.62

Would you believe that was not the end for R28? NZR repaired the engine and operated it until 1934, the last R class on its roster—they were withdrawn from 1919. And guess where it ended up! The Timaru Harbour Board! R28 worked there for six years without attempting another dive.

In 1940, the Timaru Harbour Board sold R28 to Burke's Creek Colliery in Reefton on the West Coast; it served the Colliery and State Mines Department until 1948. The good people of Reefton put R28 on display and @AitkesAndPains kindly took these photos. There ends the tale of R28.

Some more info on R28's retirement, during which it's been repainted into its current handsome livery. It recalls a livery worn for NZR, but I suspect the orange is overdone? Here's an undated Godber pic (APG-1124-1/2-G) that shows edging when in service.
https://twitter.com/AitkesAndPains/status/1245595030187724800