South African Class Exp 5 2-8-2

In 1906 the Cape Government Railways placed a single experimental steam locomotive with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when this locomotive was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and classified as Class Experimental 5.^[1][2][4]

Manufacturer

The Cape Mikado steam locomotive was designed by H.M. Beatty, the Locomotive Superintendent of the Cape Government Railways (CGR) from 1896 to 1910. It was a larger version of his Cape Class 9 of 1903, also built with a bar frame and Stephenson’s link motion valve gear, and also using saturated steam. The locomotive was delivered by Kitson and Company in 1906 and was numbered 840. Although some sources refer to it as a Cape Class 9, it appears to have not been officially classified by the CGR, simply being referred to as the "Mikado".^[1][2][4]

Characteristics

At the time it was considered as a big advance in motive power. It was a large locomotive and on the CGR it was exceeded in size only by the Kitson-Meyer that entered service in 1904.^[1]

With this locomotive Beatty overcame his aversion to boiler centre lines that exceeded twice the Cape gauge track width of 3 feet 6 inches (1.067 metres) above the railhead, by raising the centre line to 7 feet 3 inches (2.210 metres). The locomotive was larger than its predecessor Cape Class 9 in all respects, with a longer boiler that had a bigger girth, larger diameter pistons with a longer stroke, larger diameter driving wheels, a larger firebox, and a tender with a larger fuel and water capacity. The design was, however, never repeated and the Cape Mikado remained unique.^[1]

Service

The Mikado was placed in service on the Cape Western System, working on the main line between Touws River and Prince Albert Road in the Karoo. It was found to be too heavy for the rails, however, and was soon transferred to the section between Beaufort West and De Aar, where heavier rail was in use.^[1][2][4]

In 1912, when the Cape Mikado was assimilated into the South African Railways (SAR), it was classified as Class Experimental 5 and renumbered to 948. It was later transferred to Braamfontein and was withdrawn from service by 1930.^[4]

See also

• South African Class 8X 2-8-0
• South African Class Exp 1 4-6-2
• South African Class Exp 2 2-8-0
• South African Class Exp 3 2-8-0
• South African Class Exp 4 2-8-2
• South African Class Exp 6 4-8-0
• The 2-8-2 "Mikado"
• List of South African locomotive classes

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 1: 1859-1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. p. 72. ISBN 0715353829. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Office, Pretoria, January 1912, pp. 9, 12, 15, 37 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
3. ^ Holland, D.F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. p. 140. ISBN 0715354272. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 83. ISBN 0869772112.