WAGR N class explained

WAGR N class should not be confused with Westrail N class.

WAGR N class
Powertype:Steam
Builder:Neilson & Co
Robert Stephenson & Co
Nasmyth, Wilson & Co
Midland Railway Workshops
Totalproduction:42
Whytetype:4-4-4T
Driverdiameter:4feet
Length:36feet
Fueltype:Coal
Watercap:1600impgal
Boilerpressure:1602NaN2
Cylindersize:15.5x
Tractiveeffort:110362NaN2
Operator:Western Australian Government Railways
Firstrundate:September 1896
Preservedunits:N201
Disposition:1 preserved, 41 scrapped

The WAGR N class was a class of steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from 1896 until 1960.

History

In September 1896, five Neilson & Co built N class entered service hauling suburban trains around Perth between Fremantle and Midland Junction and on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder loop. Robert Stephenson & Co built a further twelve in 1898/99 and Nasmyth, Wilson & Co a further fifteen in 1901. In 1907/08 a further ten were added, when the Midland Railway Workshops converted ten O class. With the cessation of suburban services in Kalgoorlie, all were transferred to Perth.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Most remained in service until replaced by Dm and Dd class locomotives in the 1940s and ADH class diesel multiple units in the 1950s. The last two were withdrawn in September 1960.[1] [4]

N201 has been preserved at the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum.[5]

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the N class were as follows:

Builder's
number
BuilderYear builtRoad
number
In serviceWithdrawnNotes
600Nasmyth, Wilson & Co19001
601Nasmyth, Wilson & Co190019Stowed 20 April 1940
602Nasmyth, Wilson & Co190020
603Nasmyth, Wilson & Co190025
604Nasmyth, Wilson & Co190026
605Nasmyth, Wilson & Co190027
606Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900132
4937Neilson & Co189669
4938Neilson & Co189670
4939Neilson & Co189671
4940Neilson & Co189672
4941Neilson & Co189673
4933Neilson & Co189675
4934Neilson & Co189676
4935Neilson & Co189677
4936Neilson & Co189678
5046Neilson & Co189679
5052Neilson & Co189685
5053Neilson & Co189686
5054Neilson & Co189687Destroyed in collision at Fremantle, 31 July 1947
5062Neilson & Co189695Used after withdrawal as steam cleaner, Midland locomotive depot
5063Neilson & Co189696For light rail use, as of 24 May 1913
2881Robert Stephenson & Co1898196
2882Robert Stephenson & Co1898197
2883Robert Stephenson & Co1898198
2884Robert Stephenson & Co1898199Written off after damage in a collision
2885Robert Stephenson & Co1898200Stowed 14 January 1932 to 15 November 1938
2886Robert Stephenson & Co1898201Preserved at Western Australian Rail Transport Museum
2887Robert Stephenson & Co1898202
2888Robert Stephenson & Co1898203
2889Robert Stephenson & Co1898204
2890Robert Stephenson & Co1898205
2891Robert Stephenson & Co1898206
2892Robert Stephenson & Co1898207
607Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900256Stowed November 1933; boiler removed 7 February 1934
608Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900257
609Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900258
610Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900259
611Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900260
612Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900261
613Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900262Stowed 6 October 1931; boiler removed 15 November 1933
614Nasmyth, Wilson & Co1900263Converted to Ns 3 March 1922, and back to N 22 August 1933

Namesake

The N class designation was reused in the 1970s when the N class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Cited works

Notes and References

  1. Book: Whiteford. David. De Bruin. Charles. Watson. Lindsay. Watson. Neville. Western Australian Preserved Locomotives. 1983. Railmac Publications. Elizabeth. 0 949817 19 8. 11.
  2. Book: Finlayson. Don. Steam Around Perth. 1986. Australian Railway Historical Society WA Division. Perth. 0959969047. 50.
  3. Book: Turner, Jim. Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. 1997. Kangaroo Press. Kenthurst. 086417778X. 126.
  4. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. Dural. 9781921719011. 223–224.
  5. http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/locos/pages/n_steam.htm N Class Suburban Tank Locomotive