| Australian Standard Garratt | |
|---|---|
| ASG No. G33 as preserved, 2007 | |
| Power type | steam |
| Build date | 1943–1945 |
| Total produced | 65 |
| Configuration | 4-8-2+2-8-4 |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 48 in (1,219 mm) |
| Length | 85 ft 9 1⁄2 in (26.15 m) |
| Axle load | 8.5 long tons (8.6 t; 9.5 ST) |
| Weight on drivers | 76.25 long tons (77.5 t; 85.4 ST) |
| Locomotive weight | 119 long tons (120.9 t; 133.3 ST) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 6 long tons (6.1 t; 6.7 ST) |
| Water capacity | 4,200 imp gal (19,094 l; 5,044 US gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 200 psi (1,379 kPa) |
| Firegrate area | 35 sq ft (3 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total |
2,013 sq ft (187 m2) |
| Cylinders | Four, outside |
| Cylinder size | 14.5 × 24 in (368 × 610 mm) |
| Tractive effort | 34,240 lbf (152.3 kN) |
The Australian Standard Garratt (ASG) was a Garratt steam locomotive designed in Australia during the Second World War, which was used on narrow gauge railway systems in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
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The 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge Australian Standard Garratt (ASG) of 1943, a 4-8-2+2-8-4 locomotive was designed during the crisis days of World War II immediately following the bombing of Darwin. As an emergency measure the Commonwealth Land Transport Board commissioned a team of engineers led by WAGR CME Frederick Mills to design the new class of Garratt.[1] The Australian government sought to obtain drawings and licenses from Beyer, Peacock and Company but this was denied.[2]
The class of 57 (out of a planned 65) locomotives was designed in 1942 and built from scratch within four months in 1943 and construction lasted until 1945.[2] The locomotives were produced by the Midland, Newport, and Islington Workshops along with Clyde Engineering. The locomotives delivered 34,521 lbf (153,560 N) of tractive effort. A major flaw in the Australian design was the unflanged leading drivers which derailed on curves and points.
Because of differences between the states, especially loading gauge, sharpness of curves and axle load, especially in Queensland, the design had to be a compromise, which went against the idea of having a standard design. At least one problem that made the locomotives unpopular with locomotive crews was the way the firebox door opened flat on the floor, maximizing heat radiation into the crew compartment.
Queensland and South Australia both purchased much more successful designs of Garratt engines from Beyer-Peacock, post-war, which lasted until the end of steam.
Although produced for heavy work during war-time, few engines lasted through the 1950s, and most were scrapped in that decade. On the other hand, the design was successful on the private Emu Bay Railway.
Twenty-three ASGs saw service in Queensland, where crews hated them and eventually refused to work them and they were withdrawn.[2] In Western Australia twenty-five ASGs saw service until they too were withdrawn following industrial disputes.[2]
In Tasmania following modifications, the ASG locomotives remained in government railway service until 1957. The Emu Bay Railway[3] also utilised ASG engines with success and few problems at the same time until 1966.[2] Tasmania by coincidence was also the location of the railway to run the very first Garratt locomotives the TGR K Class (K1 and K2).
The South Australian Railways operated six ASGs on the Peterborough Division where they formed the 300 Class. They were assembled by the Victorian Railways Williamstown Workshops (300 and 303) and WAGR's Midland Junction (301, 302, 304,305). Their primary task was lead ore haulage between Cockburn and Port Pirie. Like other ASGs, the class were unpopular with SAR crews.[4]
In Victoria, only one ASG was known to be used, on the Fyansford Cement Works Railway near Geelong and this locomotive withdrawn in 1966, is now a static display at the Williamstown Railway Museum.[2]
In Western Australia the use of the Australian Standard Garratt of the 1940s through the state's only tunnel at Swan View caused serious problems as stated above, resulting in deaths and a Royal Commission.[5][6] Designed and built in Victoria in 1943, the ASG was also used in Queensland. However, by September 1945 the class had been withdrawn, as it had a tendency to derail due to its unflanged leading coupled wheels. Queensland Rail later introduced Beyer Garratts and these were considerably more successful than the ASG.
One ASG survives Australian Portland Cement No. G33 (V.R. Newport, 1945) at the Williamstown Railway Museum in North Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria. Three front tanks have survived; 1 at Yatina, 2 on a farm south of Peterborough.
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