620 class steam locomotive
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 The preserved example of the 620 class, the SteamRanger 621. |
|
| Power type | steam |
|---|---|
| Driver size | 76 in |
| Length | 69 ft 8 in |
| Total weight | 140 t |
| Tender capacity | 9 t coal, 5,200 imp gal water |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Cylinder size | 18.5×28 in |
| Tractive effort | 25,000 lbf at 85% BP |
The South Australian Railways 620 class is a class of 10 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotives built in the late 1930s.
[edit] Development of the 620 class
The completion of the broad gauge route between Adelaide and Port Pirie created a need for a fast passenger locomotive to haul this service. Mr P.J. Shea, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the S.A.R designed a 140 ton Pacific type, with the first completed in 1936. The tenth and final locomotive of the class was completed in 1938. With the introduction of the more powerful 520 class from 1943, these locomotives were relegated to the Willunga, Bridgewater and Tailem Bend passenger services.
The 620 class was phased out in favor of Bluebird Railcars, with all but two of the locomotives scrapped by 1969. One is preserved in working condition by SteamRanger (621) with a second (624) held in the Port Dock Museum.
