South African Class Experimental 4 2-8-2

CGR 9th Class 2-8-2 1903
South African Class Experimental 4 2-8-2
CGR 9th Class no. 806, c. 1911
SAR Class Experimental 4 no. 911
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCape Government Railways
(H.M. Beatty)
BuilderKitson and Company
Serial number4195-4196
ModelCGR 9th Class
Build date1903
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-8-2 (Mikado)
 • UIC1'D1'n2
Driver3rd coupled axle
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Leading dia.28+12 in (724 mm)
Coupled dia.48 in (1,219 mm)
Trailing dia.33 in (838 mm)
Tender wheels33+12 in (851 mm) as built
34 in (864 mm) retyred
Wheelbase50 ft 7+14 in (15,424 mm) ​
 • Axle spacing
(Asymmetrical)
1-2: 4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm)
2-3: 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm)
3-4: 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm)
 • Engine26 ft 9 in (8,153 mm)
 • Coupled13 ft 1 in (3,988 mm)
 • Tender14 ft 7 in (4,445 mm)
 • Tender bogie4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm)
Length:
 • Over couplers58 ft 5+34 in (17,824 mm)
Height12 ft 10 in (3,912 mm)
Frame typeBar
Axle load12 LT 16 cwt (13,010 kg) ​
 • Leading5 LT 5 cwt (5,334 kg)
 • 1st coupled12 LT 6 cwt (12,500 kg)
 • 2nd coupled11 LT 16 cwt (11,990 kg)
 • 3rd coupled12 LT (12,190 kg)
 • 4th coupled12 LT 16 cwt (13,010 kg)
 • Trailing10 LT 4 cwt (10,360 kg)
 • Tender axle9 LT 4 cwt 1 qtr (9,360 kg) av.
Adhesive weight48 LT 18 cwt (49,680 kg)
Loco weight64 LT 7 cwt (65,380 kg)
Tender weight36 LT 18 cwt (37,490 kg)
Total weight101 LT 5 cwt (102,900 kg)
Tender typeXE1 (2-axle bogies)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity6 LT (6.1 t)
Water cap.2,855 imp gal (12,980 L)
Firebox:
 • TypeRound-top
 • Grate area26.75 sq ft (2.485 m2)
Boiler:
 • Pitch7 ft 1 in (2,159 mm)
 • Diameter4 ft 10+34 in (1,492 mm)
 • Tube plates14 ft 10+18 in (4,524 mm)
 • Small tubes159: 2+14 in (57 mm)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,241 kPa)
Safety valveRamsbottom
Heating surface:
 • Firebox117.3 sq ft (10.90 m2)
 • Tubes1,391 sq ft (129.2 m2)
 • Total surface1,508.3 sq ft (140.13 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size19 in (483 mm) bore
24 in (610 mm) stroke
Valve gearStephenson
CouplersJohnston link-and-pin
Performance figures
Tractive effort24,370 lbf (108.4 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsCape Government Railways
South African Railways
ClassCGR 9th Class
SAR Class Experimental 4
Number in class2
NumbersCGR 805-806, SAR 910-911
Delivered1903
First run1903
Withdrawn1930
The 2nd & 3rd coupled axles had flangeless wheels

The South African Railways Class Experimental 4 2-8-2 of 1903 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1903, the Cape Government Railways placed two 9th Class steam locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado type wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when they were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered and designated Class Experimental 4.[1][2][3][4]

Manufacturer

[edit]

The Cape 9th Class locomotive was designed by H.M. Beatty, the Locomotive Superintendent of the Cape Government Railways (CGR) from 1896 to 1910. They were the first South African locomotives to have a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement and they were built with bar frames, had Stephenson’s Link valve gear and used saturated steam. Two locomotives were delivered by Kitson and Company in 1903, numbered 805 and 806.[1][2][3][4]

Characteristics

[edit]
H.M. Beatty

The locomotives were delivered with Type XE1 tenders. Their intermediate and driving coupled wheels were flangeless to allow them to cope with tight curves, such as in turnouts.[2][5][6]

With these locomotives, Beatty attempted to combine the best design features and good qualities of his Cape 8th Class 2-8-0 locomotive of 1901 with the improved steaming which was obtained from a wide firegrate. In many respects, they were enlarged versions of the two Cape 6th Class 2-6-2 locomotives which were delivered by Kitson in the same year, with many features in common.[1]

Performance

[edit]

They were placed in service on the mainline between De Aar and Kimberley.[1][2][4]

In comparison with the Cape 8th Class, it was found that their operational and maintenance costs were much higher without any advantage in terms of efficiency. As a result, no more of the type were ordered.[1][2][4]

Reclassification

[edit]

When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, Natal Government Railways and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.[3][7]

In 1912, the locomotives were designated Class Experimental 4 and renumbered to 910 and 911 on the SAR. They were withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1930.[1][2][3][4][8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 1: 1859–1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II - The Cape Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, March 1944. pp. 169-173.
  3. ^ a b c d Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Office, Pretoria, January 1912, pp. 9, 12, 15, 36 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
  4. ^ a b c d e Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 83. ISBN 0869772112.
  5. ^ South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. p. 43.
  6. ^ South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte, Steam Locomotives/Stoomlokomotiewe. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. pp. 6a-7a, 43.
  7. ^ The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.
  8. ^ Holland, D. F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-7153-5427-8.