TGR K class

TGR K Class
Works photograph of K1
Power type Steam
Builder Beyer Peacock
Serial number 5292
Build date 1909
Total produced 2
Configuration 0-4-0+0-4-0T
Gauge 2 ft  (610 mm)
Driver diameter 2 ft 7.5 in (800 mm)[ref 1]
Wheelbase 26 ft 9 in (8,150 mm) overall
4 ft (1,200 mm) each power unit[ref 1]
Length 32 ft 2 in (9,800 mm)[ref 1]
Locomotive weight 33.5 long tons (34.0 t)[ref 1]
Fuel type Coal or Oil
Tender capacity 840 imp gal (3,800 l; 1,010 US gal)[ref 1]
Boiler pressure 195 psi (13.4 bar)[ref 1]
Firegrate area 14.8 sq ft (1.37 m2)[ref 1]
Heating surface:
Tubes
568 sq ft (52.8 m2)[ref 1]
Heating surface:
Firebox
60 sq ft (5.6 m2)[ref 1]
Heating surface:
Total
628 sq ft (58.3 m2)[ref 1]
High-pressure
cylinder size
11 in (280 mm) diameter
× 16 in (410 mm) stroke[ref 1]
Low-pressure
cylinder size
17 in (430 mm) diameter
× 16 in (410 mm) stroke[ref 1]
Valve gear Walschaerts
Tractive effort 16,290 lbf (72.46 kN)[ref 1]
Career WHR
Number in class 1
Number K1
Disposition In service

The Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) K Class was a class of steam locomotive. The class numbered two locomotives, K1 and K2 built in 1909[ref 2]. They were 0-4-0+0-4-0 Garratts and the first garratt locomotives ever produced[ref 2]. K1 survives at the Welsh Highland Railway in Wales.

Contents

Overview

Although considered the first Garratt locomotives ironically they differed in two important details from Herbert Garratt's original concept. They are actually compound locomotives, with two high pressure cylinders on the rear engine, and a pipe leading to two larger low pressure cylinders on the front engine. Both sets of cylinders were placed facing each other inside their engine units, rather than facing out as in all other garratts. This was especially a problem in the Australian summer, as one pair of cylinders was under the cab, making the cab uncomfortably hot[ref 2].

The North East Dundas Tramway on which they worked closed in 1929.[ref 2] The boiler of K1 was sold to a sawmill, and in 1947 K1 was sold back to its maker Beyer, Peacock and Company[ref 2], with the boiler of K2 attached. It was then shipped back to Britain.

Beyer, Peacock & Co. closed in 1966, having offered K1 to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in 1961 and it was then sold to the Ffestiniog Railway in 1966.[ref 2] However, K1 was too tall and wide for use within the FR's restricted loading gauge, and after ten years of storage at Porthmadog, K1 was loaned to the National Railway Museum where it was cosmetically restored.

As the Welsh Highland Railway rebuilding project reached fruition, K1's potential for the line was recognised and in 1995 it left the NRM[ref 2]. A new boiler was found to be required. Parts were restored at various locations, but it was reassembled at Boston Lodge. After conversion to oil-firing, it steamed again in 2004[ref 2] and finally received HM Railway Inspectorate approval in September 2006 to haul trains single headed. K1's first public workings were at the Welsh Highland Railway's 'Superpower' weekend (9 and 10 September) when it worked a shuttle service between Caernarfon and Dinas.

K1 is to be converted back to coal-firing for the 2007 season after rising oil prices forced a change of policy for the WHR.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Fisher, Ben (3 January 2007). "K1 - the world's first Garratt locomotive". http://www.whrsoc.org.uk/WHRProject/k1.htm. Retrieved 21 October 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 143–144. ISBN 978-1-877058-54-7. 

Further reading

External links