South African Class ME 2-6-6-2
| South African Class ME 2-6-6-2 | |
|---|---|
|
Class ME no. 1618, circa 1912 | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Steam |
| Designer | Central South African Railways |
| Builder | North British Locomotive Company |
| Serial number | 19355 [1][2] |
| Model | CSAR Mallet |
| Build date | 1912 |
| Total produced | 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Configuration | 2-6-6-2 Mallet |
| Gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge |
| Leading wheel diameter | 30 in (762 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 42.25 in (1,070 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 30 in (762 mm) |
| Wheelbase |
Total: 58 ft 5.5 in (17.818 m) Engine: 8 ft 6 in (2.591 m) per coupled set 38 ft 3 in (11.659 m) total Tender: 4 ft 7 in (1.397 m) bogie 14 ft 7 in (4.445 m) total |
| Length | 66 ft 7.375 in (20.304 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 10 in (3.912 m) |
| Frame | Plate frame |
| Axle load | 9.9 long tons (10.1 t) per driver |
| Weight on drivers | 5.4 long tons (5.5 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 72.1 long tons (73.3 t) |
| Tender weight | 37.6 long tons (38.2 t) |
| Locomotive and tender combined weight | 109.7 long tons (111.5 t) |
| Tender type |
2 axle bogie 34 in (864 mm) wheels |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 6 long tons (6.1 t) |
| Water capacity | 3,000 imp gal (14,000 l) |
| Boiler |
4 ft 1.75 in (1.264 m) inside diameter 18 ft 6.5 in (5.652 m) inside length 7 ft 9 in (2.362 m) pitch |
| Boiler pressure | 170 psi (1,170 kPa) |
| Firegrate area | 32 sq ft (2.973 m2) |
| Heating surface: – Tubes |
90 tubes 2.25 in (57.1 mm) diameter 14 tubes 5.25 in (133 mm) diameter 1,340 sq ft (124.490 m2) |
| – Firebox | 115 sq ft (10.684 m2) |
| – Total | 1,455 sq ft (135.174 m2) |
| Superheater type | Schmidt |
| Superheater area | 346 sq ft (32.144 m2) |
| Cylinders | Four |
| Cylinder size |
15 in (381 mm) bore 23 in (584 mm) stroke |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts [3] |
| Performance figures | |
| Tractive effort | 31,230 lbf (139 kN) at 50% pressure |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | South African Railways [1] |
| Class | Class ME |
| Number in class | 1 |
| Number(s) | 1618 [1][4] |
| Delivered | 1912 |
| First run | 1912 |
| Withdrawn | 1937 |
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The South African Class ME 2-6-6-2 of 1912 is a South African steam locomotive from the South African Railways era.
In January 1912 the South African Railways placed a single Class ME Mallet articulated steam locomotive with a 2-6-6-2 wheel arrangement in service.[1][3][4]
Manufacturer
During 1911 the Central South African Railways (CSAR) placed an order for an experimental simple expansion Mallet articulated steam locomotive with the North British Locomotive Company (NBL). The locomotive was intended for test purposes on branchlines with light 45 pounds per yard (22 kilograms per metre) rail.[1][3]
By the time it was delivered in January 1912, the CSAR had already become part of the newly established South African Railways (SAR). The locomotive was therefore classified as the sole Class ME and numbered 1618 on the SAR roster.[1][3][4]
Characteristics
It had Walschaerts valve gear, a plate frame, a Belpaire firebox and was equipped with a Schmidt superheater. Compared to other Mallet locomotives that were placed in service during the first decade of the SAR’s existence, the Class ME was unique in being arranged as a simple expansion locomotive with four high pressure cylinders, instead of the more usual compound expansion arrangement of two high pressure and two low pressure cylinders.[1][3][5]
Service
The Class ME proved to be successful in operation and, even though it was acquired as an experimental locomotive, remained in service for twenty-five years. It spent its last years working on the line from Nelspruit to Sabie in the Eastern Transvaal Lowveld, until it was retired in 1937.[1]
See also
- Articulated locomotive numbering and classification
- List of South African locomotive classes
- Mallet locomotive
- South African Class MD 2-6-6-2
- South African Class MF 2-6-6-2
- South African Class MG 2-6-6-2
- South African Class MH 2-6-6-2
- South African locomotive history
- The 2-6-6-2 Mallet
References
|
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Holland, D.F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-7153-5427-8.
- ↑ North British Locomotive Company works list, compiled by Austrian locomotive historian Bernhard Schmeiser
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 86. ISBN 0869772112.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Office, Pretoria, January 1912, pp. 9, 12, 15, 46 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
- ↑ Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 1: 1859-1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. pp. 54, 56. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
