| WAGR V class | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Beyer, Peacock & Co. (subcontracted to Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns |
| Serial number | BP 7726–7749 |
| Build date | 1955 |
| Total produced | 24? |
| Configuration | 2-8-2 |
| UIC classification | 1′D1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter |
21.5 in (546 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 51 in (1,295 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter |
21.5 in (546 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 393 in (9,982 mm) |
| Length | 836.125 in (21,238 mm) |
| Width | 114 in (2,896 mm) |
| Height | 132 in (3,353 mm) |
| Axle load | 14t 5c |
| Weight on drivers | 14t 5c |
| Locomotive weight | 80t 14c 2q |
| Locomotive & tender combined weight |
134t 18c 2q |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 7t |
| Water capacity | 5390 gallons |
| Boiler pressure | 215 lbf/in² (1.48 MPa) |
| Firegrate area | 40 sq ft (3.7 m2) |
| Heating surface: Tubes |
1,570 sq ft (146 m2) |
| Heating surface: Firebox |
247 sq ft (22.9 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total |
1,817 sq ft (168.8 m2) |
| Superheater area | 492 sq ft (45.7 m2) |
| Cylinders | Two |
| Cylinder size | 19 × 26 in (483 × 660 mm) |
| Tractive effort | 33,633 lbf (149.61 kN) |
| Career | Western Australian Government Railways |
| Class | V |
| Number in class | 24 |
| Number | 1201–1224 |
| Delivered | 1955 |
| First run | 12 April 1955 |
| Last run | 14 August 1973 |
| Withdrawn | 14 August 1972 |
| Preserved | 4 |
Contents |
The V class was the last locomotive to enter service with the Western Australian government railways. They were part of the post war regeneration plan for the WAGR, intended for the heavy coal traffic between the Collie coal fields and Perth. Twenty four locomotives were ordered in 1951 from Beyer Peacock in Manchester. The locomotives were built under subcontract by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd at their Darlington works. The locomotives entered service between April 1955 and November 1956 [1]
The locomotive was of a modern design with a high superheat, a large combustion chamber and a thermic syphon in the firebox. Roller bearing were used on all the locomotive and tender wheels. When introduced the V class was the largest rigid wheelbase locomotive on the WAGR system, exceeded only by the Australian Standard Garratt, and the heaviest government owned steam locomotive in Australia.
The locomotive was designed to have as many parts as possible interchangeable with the W class.
The rated load capacity was 1320 tons between Brunswick Junction and Armadale, compared to 1135 tons for the S class and 850 tons for the Fs class. By all accounts the V class were a reliable and free steaming locomotive.The V Class Locomotive entered service in 1955 and initially worked heavy coal trains from the Collie area later on they were put on equally heavy freight trains particularly over the great southern line from York to Albany.
Four of the class have survived. Three are owned by preservation societies, whilst the fourth , V1213, is owned by the private rail operator, Pemberton Tramway Company Pty Ltd.
Various records suggest that the V Class were considered by Steamtown, Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc[2][3] Pemberton Tramway Co did provide "Driver Experience" courses using V1213 [4], in additional to hauling some timber on its railway. The haulage of timber ceased in 2005
(core data drawn from Gunzberg 1984 [6])