| South African Class GK 2-6-2+2-6-2 | |
|---|---|
| NCCR G2, later SAR Class GK 2341, circa 1925 | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Beyer, Peacock and Company |
| Builder | Beyer, Peacock and Company |
| Serial number | 6135-6136[1][2] |
| Model | NCCR G |
| Build date | 1923 |
| Total produced | 2 |
| Configuration | 2-6-2+2-6-2 "Double Prairie" Garratt |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge |
| Leading wheel diameter |
28.5 in (724 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 42.5 in (1,080 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter |
28.5 in (724 mm) |
| Wheelbase | Total: 56 ft 8 in (17.272 m) Engines: 8 ft (2.438 m) coupled 17 ft 8 in (5.385 m) total |
| Length | 63 ft 2.75 in (19.272 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 3 in (3.734 m) |
| Frame | Plate frame, 29 ft 8 in (9.042 m) between pivot centres |
| Axle load | 10.5 long tons (10.7 t) per driver |
| Weight on drivers | 63 long tons (64.0 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 162,512 lb (73.7 t) empty 94.9 long tons (96.4 t) w/o |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 4 long tons (4.1 t) |
| Water capacity | 1,900 imp gal (8,600 l) front 1,100 imp gal (5,000 l) rear |
| Boiler | 5 ft 2 in (1.575 m) int dia 11 ft 3.25 in (3.435 m) int length 7 ft 3.375 in (2.219 m) pitch |
| Boiler pressure | 180 psi (1,240 kPa) |
| Firegrate area | 34 sq ft (3.159 m2) |
| Heating surface: Tubes |
225 tubes 1.75 in (44.5 mm) ext dia 24 tubes 5.25 in (133 mm) ext dia 1,531 sq ft (142.235 m2) |
| Heating surface: Firebox |
156 sq ft (14.493 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total |
1,687 sq ft (156.727 m2) |
| Superheater area | 300 sq ft (27.871 m2) |
| Cylinders | Four |
| Cylinder size | 15 in (381 mm) bore 22 in (559 mm) stroke[1][3] |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts[4] |
| Tractive effort | 31,260 lbf (139.1 kN) at 75% boiler pressure |
| Career | New Cape Central Railways South African Railways |
| Class | Class GK |
| Number in class | 2 |
| Number | NCCR G1-G2, SAR 2340-2341 |
| Delivered | 1923 |
| First run | 1923 |
| Withdrawn | 1957 |
| Disposition | Retired |
In 1923 the New Cape Central Railway placed two Garratt articulated steam locomotives with a 2-6-2+2-6-2 "Double Prairie" wheel arrangement in service. In 1925, when the New Cape Central Railway was amalgamated into the South African Railways, the two Garratts were renumbered and designated Class GK.[1][3][4]
Contents |
The New Cape Central Railway (NCCR) was an independent privately owned common carrier that operated between Worcester and Mosselbaai. It was formed in January 1893 when it purchased all the assets of the bankrupted Cape Central Railway (CCR), who had constructed a line from Worcester via Robertson to Roodewal, later renamed Ashton.[1][4]
In 1894 the NCCR began work to extend the line to Swellendam. From there it continued via Heidelberg to Riversdale, which was reached on 3 December 1903. Mosselbaai was reached in 1904.[1][4]
Unlike many other privately owned railways in South Africa, the NCCR prospered and was well and efficiently run. It was the last component railway to be added to the South African Railways (SAR) when it was amalgamated in May 1925. All the NCCR locomotives that came onto the SAR roster continued to give good service for many years.[1]
Increasing traffic and heavier loads led to the decision by the NCCR to place an order for two Garratt 2-6-2+2-6-2 locomotives with Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1922. The locomotives were built to the design of the Class GB and was also superheated, with plate frames and Walschaerts valve gear, but heavier and with larger cylinders. They were delivered in 1923 and numbered G1 and G2, and were to be the last new locomotives ordered by the company.[1][4]
In service on the NCCR, each Garratt could replace two of its older Class 7 locomotives, with one 95 long tons (97 tonnes) Garratt able to do the work of altogether 166 long tons (169 tonnes) worth of tender locomotives, while saving 5 long tons (5 tonnes) of coal and one crew’s wages in the process.
When the NCCR was amalgamated into the SAR in 1925, the two Garratt locomotives were renumbered 2340 and 2341 on the SAR roster and reclassified to Class GK.[1][4]
The locomotives were then initially transferred to Cape Town and worked the Overberg line to Caledon for a brief period. They were then sent to Natal, where they remained in service on the Donnybrook to Underberg branch until they were withdrawn from service by 1957.[4]
The main picture shows NCCR G2, later SAR Class GK 2341, circa 1925.
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