WAGR N class explained
WAGR N class should not be confused with Westrail N class.
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 The last two were withdrawn in September 1960.[1] [4]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 | Builder | Year built | Road
number | In service | Withdrawn | Notes |
|---|
| 600 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 1 | | | | | 601 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 19 | | | Stowed 20 April 1940 | | 602 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 20 | | | | | 603 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 25 | | | | | 604 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 26 | | | | | 605 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 27 | | | | | 606 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 132 | | | | | 4937 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 69 | | | | | 4938 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 70 | | | | | 4939 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 71 | | | | | 4940 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 72 | | | | | 4941 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 73 | | | | | 4933 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 75 | | | | | 4934 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 76 | | | | | 4935 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 77 | | | | | 4936 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 78 | | | | | 5046 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 79 | | | | | 5052 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 85 | | | | | 5053 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 86 | | | | | 5054 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 87 | | | Destroyed in collision at Fremantle, 31 July 1947 | | 5062 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 95 | | | Used after withdrawal as steam cleaner, Midland locomotive depot | | 5063 | Neilson & Co | 1896 | 96 | | | For light rail use, as of 24 May 1913 | | 2881 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 196 | | | | | 2882 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 197 | | | | | 2883 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 198 | | | | | 2884 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 199 | | | Written off after damage in a collision | | 2885 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 200 | | | Stowed 14 January 1932 to 15 November 1938 | | 2886 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 201 | | | Preserved at Western Australian Rail Transport Museum | | 2887 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 202 | | | | | 2888 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 203 | | | | | 2889 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 204 | | | | | 2890 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 205 | | | | | 2891 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 206 | | | | | 2892 | Robert Stephenson & Co | 1898 | 207 | | | | | 607 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 256 | | | Stowed November 1933; boiler removed 7 February 1934 | | 608 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 257 | | | | | 609 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 258 | | | | | 610 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 259 | | | | | 611 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 260 | | | | | 612 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 261 | | | | | 613 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 262 | | | Stowed 6 October 1931; boiler removed 15 November 1933 | | 614 | Nasmyth, Wilson & Co | 1900 | 263 | | | Converted 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
- Book: Whiteford. David. De Bruin. Charles. Watson. Lindsay. Watson. Neville. Western Australian Preserved Locomotives. 1983. Railmac Publications. Elizabeth. 0 949817 19 8. 11.
- Book: Finlayson. Don. Steam Around Perth. 1986. Australian Railway Historical Society WA Division. Perth. 0959969047. 50.
- Book: Turner, Jim. Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. 1997. Kangaroo Press. Kenthurst. 086417778X. 126.
- Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. Dural. 9781921719011. 223–224.
- http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/locos/pages/n_steam.htm N Class Suburban Tank Locomotive
