WAGR K class

WAGR K class

A K class with a Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipe train, ca. 1902.

A K class with a Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipe train, ca. 1902.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Specifications
Configuration 2-8-4T
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Career
Operator(s) Western Australian Government Railways
Number in class 24

The K-class was a class of steam locomotives of the Western Australian Government Railways introduced in 1893/94 to haul heavier loads in particular on the Eastern Goldfields Railway. Their wheel arrangement was 2-8-4T, which was a tank engine.

The locomotives required heavier rails, 39 kg/m (78.6 lb/yd) in lieu of 23 kg/m (46.4 lb/yd).[1]

The K class operated on narrow gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) lines.

Class lists

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the K class were as follows:[2]

First and second batches, built by Neilson and Company, 1893 and 1896:
Builder's
number
Year built Road
number
In service Withdrawn Notes
4599 1893 34 24 October 1893 22 March 1961 Converted to Ks, 23 March 1929, and back to K, 1 April 1937.
4601 1893 35 25 October 1893 12 April 1951
4600 1893 36 9 December 1893 25 October 1949
4602 1893 37 10 November 1893 6 September 1962
4603 1893 38 28 February 1894 1 June 1927
4604 1893 39 7 March 1894 29 May 1953 Converted to Ks, 12 February 1916, and back to K, 3 October 1925.
4605 1893 40 30 March 1894 1 August 1963 Stowed at Fremantle, 2 August 1961.
4606 1893 41 16 April 1894 1 June 1927
5040 1896 101 17 March 1897 24 August 1953 Converted to Ks, 20 November 1915, and back to K, 22 December 1928.
5041 1896 102 20 March 1897 28 June 1955
5042 1896 103 23 March 1897 15 October 1962
5043 1896 104 30 March 1897 7 February 1928 Converted to Ks, 8 April 1916; scrapped as Ks.
5044 1896 105 26 March 1897 23 November 1962
5045 1896 106 31 March 1897 29 November 1957
Third batch, built by Neilson, Reid and Company, 1898:
Builder's
number
Year built Road
number
In service Withdrawn Notes
5197 1898 186 21 May 1898 30 July 1953
5198 1898 187 26 May 1898 1 June 1927
5199 1898 188 31 May 1898 1 June 1927
7 March 1928 15 May 1962 Returned to service after first withdrawal.
5200 1898 189 5 June 1898 30 June 1926
5201 1898 190 10 June 1898 7 December 1964
5202 1898 191 4 August 1898 30 June 1926
5203 1898 192 4 August 1898 1 June 1927
5204 1898 193 12 August 1898 30 April 1954
5205 1898 194 4 August 1898 13 January 1955 Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 15 June 1929.
5206 1898 195 23 July 1898 15 October 1962 Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 25 June 1927.

Namesake

There is also a Co-Co K-class diesel locomotive of the 1970s.

See also

References

Notes

Cited works

  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

External links

Media related to WAGR K class at Wikimedia Commons