Kowie Railway 0-6-0T
Kowie Railway 0-6-0T to Kowie Railway 4-4-0T | |
---|---|
Kowie Railway 0-6-0T "Port Alfred", as built | |
Specifications | |
Power type | Steam |
Designer | Hunslet Engine Company |
Builder | Hunslet Engine Company |
Serial number | 277-278 |
Build date | 1882 |
Total produced | 2 |
Rebuilder | Kowie Railway |
Rebuild date | 1884 |
Number rebuilt | 2 |
Configuration | 0-6-0T as built, 4-4-0T rebuilt |
Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge |
Leading wheel diameter | 20 in (508 mm) as 4-4-0T |
Driver diameter | 36 in (914 mm) |
Wheelbase |
As 0-6-0T: 10 ft 3 in (3.124 m) As 4-4-0T: 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) coupled 15 ft 11 1⁄4 in (4.858 m) engine |
Length |
24 ft 10 in (7.569 m) as 0-6-0T 26 ft 3 3⁄4 in (8.020 m) as 4-4-0T |
Height | 10 ft 10 1⁄4 in (3.308 m) |
Weight on drivers | 22 10⁄20 long tons (22.9 t) w/o as 0-6-0T |
Locomotive weight | 22 10⁄20 long tons (22.9 t) w/o as 0-6-0T |
Fuel type | Coal |
Fuel capacity | 1 1⁄2 long tons (1.5 t) |
Water capacity | 550 imp gal (2,500 l; 660 US gal) |
Boiler |
3 ft 4 1⁄2 in (1.029 m) inside diameter 7 ft 10 in (2.388 m) inside length 5 ft 3 1⁄4 in (1.607 m) pitch |
Boiler pressure | 160 psi (1,100 kPa) |
Firegrate area | 7 3⁄4 sq ft (0.720 m2) |
Heating surface: – Tubes |
106 tubes 1 3⁄4 in (44.4 mm) diameter 392 sq ft (36.418 m2) |
– Firebox | 49 sq ft (4.6 m2) |
– Total | 441 sq ft (41.0 m2) |
Cylinders | Two |
Cylinder size |
12 in (305 mm) bore 19 in (483 mm) stroke |
Valve gear | Stephenson |
Tractive effort | 9,120 lbf (40.6 kN) at 75% boiler pressure |
Career | |
Operator(s) |
Kowie Railway South African Railways |
Number in class | 2 |
Official name | "Port Alfred" & "Kowie" |
Delivered | 1882 |
First run | 1882 [1] |
The Kowie Railway 0-6-0T of 1882 is a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape Colony.
In 1882 two 0-6-0 tank locomotives entered service on the private Kowie Railway that was being constructed between Port Alfred and Grahamstown. Both locomotives were rebuilt to a 4-4-0T wheel arrangement in 1884.[1]
The Kowie Railway
The private Kowie Railway line between Grahamstown and Port Alfred came into existence and was operated by three successive private enterprises. In 1881 the Government of the Cape Colony authorised the London-based Grahamstown and Port Alfred Railway Company to construct a railway from Port Alfred northwestwards to Grahamstown. The company was established with a capital of £200,000 and, since the line was to link Grahamstown with the harbour at Port Alfred, the Government also undertook to subsidise it to the extent of £500,000.[1][2]
The 43-mile long (69-kilometre) line was partially opened to traffic in 1882, but the construction of the Blaauwkrantz Bridge delayed progress and the line was only completed and opened to traffic on 3 December 1884. Partly as a result of the delays that occurred during harbour development at Port Alfred due to the continuous silting up of the Kowie River, the Grahamstown and Port Alfred Railway Company soon suffered financial difficulties and was forced into liquidation in 1887.[2]
A group of Grahamstown residents formed a syndicate in 1888 and took over the operation of the line to Port Alfred until 1895, when they sold out to the Kowie Railway Company.[2]
Manufacturer
In 1882 two 0-6-0 tank locomotives with works numbers 277 and 278 were delivered to the Grahamstown and Port Alfred Railway Company from Hunslet Engine Company. The locomotives were acquired for goods working and were named "Port Alfred" and "Kowie" respectively.[1]
Modification
In 1884 both locomotives were rebuilt to 4-4-0 tank locomotives. The necessary parts and equipment for the conversion were supplied by Hunslet and the rebuilding took place at Port Alfred. It involved the removal of the leading coupled wheels, extending the frame in front of the smokebox and the installation of a four-wheeled leading bogie.[1]
South African Railways
Following a major disaster when a passenger train derailed on the Blaauwkrantz Bridge in 1911, the resultant claims against the Kowie Railway Company led to its bankruptcy. The line and the locomotives were taken over by the South African Railways on 1 April 1913. The two locomotives remained in service on this line until they were scrapped.[1][2]
See also
- The 0-6-0 wheel arrangement
- The 4-4-0 "American"
- Port Alfred Railway Line
- South African locomotive history
- List of South African locomotive classes
References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 1: 1859-1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. p. 80-83. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, pp. 12-13.