South African Class Experimental 4 2-8-2 Explained

CGR 9th Class 2-8-2 1903
Powertype:Steam
Designer:Cape Government Railways
(H.M. Beatty)
Builder:Kitson and Company
Serialnumber:4195-4196
Buildmodel:CGR 9th Class
Builddate:1903
Totalproduction:2
Whytetype:2-8-2 (Mikado)
Uicclass:1'D1'n2
Driver:3rd coupled axle
Leadingdiameter:NaN0NaN0
Coupleddiameter:480NaN0
Trailingdiameter:330NaN0
Tenderdiameter:NaN0NaN0 as built
340NaN0 retyred
Wheelbase:50feet
Engine Total:26feet
Coupled:13feet
Tender Total:14feet
Tenderbogie:4feet
Wheelspacing:1-2: 4feet
2-3: 4feet
3-4: 4feet
Over Couplers:58feet
Height:12feet
Frametype:Bar
Axleload:12lt
Leadingbogie/Pony:5lt
Coupled 1:12lt
Coupled 2:11lt
Coupled 3:12sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4
Coupled 4:12lt
Trail Bogie/Pony:10lt
Tenderaxle:9lt av.
Weightondrivers:48lt
Locoweight:64lt
Tenderweight:36lt
Locotenderweight:101lt
Tendertype:XE1 (2-axle bogies)
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:61NaN1
Watercap:2855impgal
Pitch:7feet
Diameterinside:4feet
Lengthinside:14feet
Smalltubediameter:159: NaN0NaN0
Fireboxtype:Round-top
Boilerpressure:1800NaN0
Safetyvalvetype:Ramsbottom
Firearea:26.75square feet
Totalsurface:1508.3square feet
Tubearea:1391square feet
Fireboxarea:117.3square feet
Cylindercount:Two
Cylindersize:190NaN0 bore
240NaN0 stroke
Valvegear:Stephenson
Coupling:Johnston link-and-pin
Tractiveeffort:24370lbf @ 75%
Operator:Cape Government Railways
South African Railways
Operatorclass:CGR 9th Class
SAR Class Experimental 4
Numinclass:2
Fleetnumbers:CGR 805-806, SAR 910-911
Deliverydate:1903
Firstrundate:1903
Withdrawndate:1930
Notes:The 2nd & 3rd coupled axles had flangeless wheels

The South African Railways Class Experimental 4 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 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]

Manufacturer

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 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]

Characteristics

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.[1] [3] [4]

With these locomotives, Beatty attempted to combine the best design features and good qualities of his Cape 8th Class 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 locomotives which were delivered by Kitson in the same year, with many features in common.

Performance

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

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]

Reclassification

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.[2] [5]

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]

Notes and References

  1. 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.
  2. 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)
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.