CGR 2nd Class 2-6-2TT explained

CGR 2nd Class 2-6-2TT
Powertype:Steam
Designer:Robert Stephenson and Company
Builder:Robert Stephenson and Company
Avonside Engine Company
Kitson and Company
Serialnumber:RS 2205–2210, 2332–2339, 2353 (engines), RS 2215–2217, 2221–2223 (tenders)
Avonside 1110–1113, 1157–1158, 1193–1194, 1209–1210
Kitson 2038–2041
Builddate:1875–1879
Totalproduction:29 (2 lost at sea)
Whytetype:2-6-2TT (Prairie)
Uicclass:1’C1’n2t
Driver:2nd coupled axle
Leadingdiameter:240NaN0
Coupleddiameter:380NaN0
Trailingdiameter:240NaN0
Engine Total:20feet
Coupled:80NaN0
Wheelspacing:1–2: 4feet
2–3: 3feet
Over Couplers:270NaN0
Height:120NaN0
Frametype:Plate
Axleload:9lt
Leadingbogie/Pony:2lt
Coupled 1:7lt
Coupled 2:9lt
Coupled 3:6lt
Trail Bogie/Pony:2lt
Weightondrivers:23lt
Locoweight:28lt
Tendertype:2-axle
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:Engine: 0lt
Tender: 21NaN1
Watercap:Engine: 650sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Tender: 900sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Pitch:5feet
Lengthinside:100NaN0
Fireboxtype:Round-top
Boilerpressure:1300NaN0
Safetyvalvetype:Salter
Firearea:11square feet
Totalsurface:750square feet
Tubearea:692square feet
Fireboxarea:58square feet
Cylindercount:Two
Cylindersize:150NaN0 bore
200NaN0 stroke
Valvegear:Stephenson
Trainbrakes:Clarke's chain brakes
Coupling:Johnston link-and-pin
Tractiveeffort:11546lbf @ 75%
Operator:Cape Government Railways
Operatorclass:2nd Class
Numinclass:27
Fleetnumbers:E17-E26, M5-M10, M25-M33, W1-W2
Deliverydate:1875–1879
Firstrundate:1875

The Cape Government Railways 2nd Class 2-6-2TT of 1875 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

The first mixed traffic locomotives to enter service on the new 3 feet 6 inches Cape gauge mainlines of the Cape Government Railways were 2-6-2 Prairie type side-tank engines which were delivered between 1875 and 1879. Four-wheeled tenders were also acquired and the locomotives could be operated in either a tank or tank-and-tender engine configuration, as circumstances demanded. These locomotives were later designated the Cape 2nd Class.[1]

Cape Government Railways

In 1872, the Cape Government took over the operation of all railways in the Cape of Good Hope and established the Cape Government Railways (CGR). Shortly before, it had been decided to adopt the narrower 3 feet 6 inches gauge instead of the existing 4 feet 8½ inches broad gauge for all further railway expansions, since it would decrease the cost of construction through the difficult terrain which lay inland from the three major ports of the Cape of Good Hope at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London. This narrower gauge is still known as Cape gauge.[2]

Since the operational area within the Colony was so vast, the CGR was divided into three semi-autonomous systems. The Eastern System was headquartered in East London, with A.E. Schmid as Chief Resident Engineer and J.D. Tilney as Locomotive Superintendent. The Midland System was headquartered in Port Elizabeth, with D. Jackson Scott as Chief Resident Engineer and Mr. Edwards as Locomotive Superintendent. The Western System was headquartered in Cape Town, with W.G. Brounger as Chief Resident Engineer as well as Consulting Engineer for the whole CGR, and Michael Stephens as Locomotive Superintendent.[2] [3]

Manufacturers

The first Cape gauge mainline locomotives to enter service on the CGR were delivered in 1875. An order for six Prairie type locomotives was placed with Robert Stephenson and Company, followed by a separate order for six four-wheeled tenders. The Stephenson locomotives were numbered W1 and W2 for the Western system and M7 to M10 for the Midland System.[1]

At the same time, four more locomotives were ordered from the Avonside Engine Company. Two of the Avonside locomotives went to the Midland System, numbered M5 and M6. The other two were intended for the Eastern System, but they were lost at sea during delivery when the ship Memento sank off East London on 5 February 1876.[1]

These locomotives were followed by nineteen more, all with optional tenders, ordered from three manufacturers.

When a locomotive classification system was introduced by the CGR, these locomotives were designated 2nd Class.

Characteristics

Tenders

While all the locomotives were delivered with four-wheeled tenders, they could be operated with or without the tenders, as circumstances demanded. In practice, they were used in the tank engine configuration while performing shunting or short-distance work, and in the tank-and-tender configuration when an increased coal and water supply was required during longer distance mainline work.[3]

Brakes

The locomotives were equipped with Clarke's chain brakes. The braking system proved to be unsatisfactory, since breaking of the chain was not uncommon. In one instance this resulted in a bad accident with loss of life while a train was descending the Hex River rail pass.

The chain brake was operated by a NaN0NaN0 link chain, which was carried on sheaves underneath the train along the centre, connected by coupling hooks between carriages or trucks. Under each vehicle, the chain hanged slack while not in use. It passed under two pulleys which were attached to pulling-rods to operate the wooden brake blocks. To operate the brakes, the chain could be tightened from either end of the train. The guard's van could be used to retard a train on down grades, or to stop the entire train. In the event of a broken or disconnected chain, however, the brake system was useless. By c. 1876, a simple vacuum brake system was introduced as a reserve brake.[3]

Service

One of these locomotives is known to have been named, number W1 Byron. All of them were renumbered on occasions when the CGR altered its locomotive numbering systems c. 1886, 1888, 1890 and 1896.[1]

By 1904, only three of them were still in service, being employed on shunting and construction tasks. By 1912, when locomotive classification and renumbering was implemented on the newly established South African Railways, none of these 2nd Class locomotives were still in service.[1]

Works numbers and renumbering

The builders, works numbers, years built, original numbers and known renumbering of the Cape 2nd Class of 1875 are listed in the table.[1]

Illustration

The photographs illustrate the locomotive in various configurations.

Notes and References

  1. C.G.R. Numbering Revised, Article by Dave Littley, SA Rail May–June 1993, pp. 94–95.
  2. The South African Railways – Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, pp. 4, 8, 11.
  3. Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1943). The Locomotive in South Africa – A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II – The Adoption of the 3 ft. 6 in. Gauge on the Cape Government Railways. South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, July 1943. pp. 515–518.

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