South African type KT tender explained

South African type KT tender
Hatnote:♠ 12 long tons coal capacity
13 long tons coal capacity
14 long tons coal capacity
Locomotive:Class 15C, Class 15CA, Class 16DA
Designer:Baldwin Locomotive Works
Builder:American Locomotive Company
Baldwin Locomotive Works
Henschel and Son
Hohenzollern Locomotive Works
Società Italiana Ernesto Breda
North British Locomotive Company
Date:1925-1930
Rebuiltfrom:Type HT
Rebuilder:South African Railways
Rebuilddate:c. 1950
Wheelarr:2-axle bogies
Length:28feet
Wheeldiameter:340NaN0
Wheelbase:20feet
Bogie:6feet
Axleload:♠ 16lt
16lt
17lt
Bogie 1:♠ 32lt
33lt
33lt
Bogie 2:♠ 33lt
33lt
35lt
Tenderempty:68888lb
Tenderworking:♠ 66sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4
67lt
69lt
Fueltype:Coal
Fuelcap:♠ 121NaN1
131NaN1
141NaN1
Watercap:6000sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3
Stoking:Manual
Coupling:Drawbar & Johnston link-and-pin
Drawbar & AAR knuckle (1930s)
Operator:South African Railways
Fleetnumbers:SAR 843-850, 860-866, 868-879, 2039–2077, 2801-2857
Ex Type HT 1360-1361

See main article: article and South African steam locomotive tenders.

The South African type KT tender was a steam locomotive tender.

The Type KT tender first entered service in 1925, as tenders to the Big Bill Mountain type and Big Bertha Pacific type steam locomotives which were acquired by the South African Railways in that year.[1] [2]

Manufacturers

Type KT tenders were built between 1925 and 1930 by American Locomotive Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works, Henschel and Son, Hohenzollern Locomotive Works, Società Italiana Ernesto Breda and North British Locomotive Company.

The South African Railways (SAR) placed twelve Class 15C Mountain type locomotives (reclassified to Class 15CB in 1926) and seven Class 16D Pacific type locomotives in service in 1925 and 1926. The locomotives and tender were designed by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia. The Classes 15C and 16D were acquired specifically for the long runs of the Union Limited (Johannesburg to Cape Town) and Union Express (Cape Town to Johannesburg) passenger trains. The Type KT first entered service as tenders to these two locomotive Classes.[1] [2] [3]

Characteristics

The tenders were arranged with self-trimming type coal bunkers and had a maximum coal capacity of 141NaN1 and a maximum water capacity of 6000sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3, which was considered sufficient for the engines to travel 1000NaN0 without having to replenish water.[4]

The water capacity of the tenders were described in official SAR diagrams as "nominal", while three coal capacities of 12, were shown. This appears to have been limitations for working on lines laid with lighter rail after the respective engines were withdrawn from mainline working, since the tenders were apparently not modified to reduce their capacities. The instruction was that water capacity (water taken) was to be reduced where necessary to ensure that the respective maximum axle loads of 16lt, 16lt and 17lt, as shown in the diagrams with the three given coal loads, were not exceeded.[1] [2]

Locomotives

Five locomotive classes and models, built by six manufacturers, were delivered new with Type KT tenders, which were numbered for their engines in the number ranges as shown. An oval number plate, bearing the engine number and often also the tender type, was attached to the rear end of the tender. On some tenders, presumably after number plates went astray, the number was weld-written on the tender instead, as on the illustrated tender no. 2041.[2]

Classification letters

Since many tender types are interchangeable between different locomotive classes and types, a tender classification system was adopted by the SAR. The first letter of the tender type indicates the classes of engines to which it can be coupled. The "K_" tenders could only be used with the four locomotive classes with which they were delivered.[2]

The second letter indicates the tender's water capacity. The "_T" tenders had a capacity of between 5587and.[2]

Modified from Type HT

After their locomotives were withdrawn from service, the Type HT tenders of the two Class 18 2-10-2 Henschel Giants had their mechanical stokers removed and their drawgear modified for use with Class 15CA locomotives. These two tenders were then redesignated Type KT as well.[2]

Notes and References

  1. 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. pp. 19-20, 45-46.
  2. 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, 19-20, 45-46.
  3. https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-7-1/system-7 Soul of A Railway, System 7, Western Transvaal, based in Johannesburg, Part 1. Johannesburg between the Home Signals, Part 1. Caption 18.
  4. Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1946). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, May 1946. pp. 373-376.