NZASM 40 Tonner 0-6-2T
NZASM 40 Tonner no. 50 at Komatipoort, circa 1895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij 40 Tonner 0-6-2T of 1892 is a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Transvaal.
In 1892 and 1893 the Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal Republic) placed twenty tank locomotives with a 0-6-2 wheel arrangement in mainline service. Since the railway classified its locomotives according to their weight, these locomotives were known as the 40 Tonners.[1]
Manufacturer
Although the completion of the line from Delagoa Bay to Pretoria was still more than three years in the future, a requirement for larger and heavier mainline locomotives was identified in 1891. The Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorweg-Maatschappij (NZASM) therefore ordered ten 0-6-2T tank locomotives from Emil Kessler’s Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. A second order for another ten followed later in 1891.[1][2]
The first batch of locomotives were delivered in 1892, numbered in the range from 41 to 50. Of the second batch, numbered in the range from 51 to 60, the last seven were built in 1892.[1]
The locomotives were equipped with Walschaerts valve gear. Since the NZASM classified its locomotives according to their weight, these locomotives were known as 40 Tonners. In addition to being numbered, they were all named as well, with the names and numbers cast in brass and mounted on their tank sides.[1]
Service
NZASM
The 40 Tonners were found to be satisfactory in service, but their trailing wheels initially proved to be somewhat troublesome. The trailing wheels were attached directly to the frame, which gave the locomotive a rigid wheelbase. The problem arose as a result of insufficient sideward freedom of movement of the trailing axle when the locomotive traversed sharp curves and turnouts. Furthermore, the absence of leading carrying wheels resulted in a rough ride.[1]
Selati Railway
In June 1890 Eugene, the younger of the Barons Oppenheim, sought to obtain a concession from the Government of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek to construct a line to the Murchison Range goldfields along the Selati River. Work on the construction of the Selati Railway in the Transvaal Lowveld began early in 1893, branching off from the Pretoria-Delagoa Bay line at a junction near Komatipoort. The two locomotives Durban and Pietermaritzburg were purchased from the Natal Government Railways for use during construction, as well as two 40 Tonners that were acquired from the NZASM. The project was abandoned in 1894 due to financial difficulties as well as a dispute that arose with the NZASM over the chosen route. Work on the line was only resumed and completed by the Central South African Railways (CSAR) in 1909.[1][3]
Imperial Military Railways
All railway operations in the two Boer Republics, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and the Orange Free State, were taken over by the Imperial Military Railways (IMR) in 1899, during the South African War.[2]
Nineteen of the 40 Tonners survived the war.[1]
Central South African Railways
At the end of the war, when the IMR was transformed into the CSAR, the nineteen surviving 40 Tonners were designated CSAR Class A and renumbered in the range from 1 to 19.[1]
None survived in railway service to be taken onto the South African Railways roster in 1912.[4]
Works numbers
The 40 Tonner engine numbers, names, works numbers and year built are shown in the table.[1]
NZASM no. |
Name |
Works no. |
Year built |
---|---|---|---|
41 | Voortrekker | 1891 | 2436 |
42 | President Kruger | 1891 | 2437 |
43 | Generaal Joubert | 1891 | 2438 |
44 | Dr. Leyds | 1891 | 2439 |
45 | Generaal Smit | 1891 | 2440 |
46 | W. Eduard Blok | 1891 | 2441 |
47 | Wolmarans | 1891 | 2442 |
48 | Kloppers | 1891 | 2443 |
49 | Taljaard | 1891 | 2444 |
50 | S.W. Burger | 1891 | 2445 |
51 | Van der Merwe | 1891 | 2480 |
52 | Vorster | 1891 | 2481 |
53 | Coetzee | 1891 | 2482 |
54 | Lombard | 1892 | 2483 |
55 | Van Riebeeck | 1892 | 2484 |
56 | Piet Retief | 1892 | 2485 |
57 | Pretorius | 1892 | 2486 |
58 | Potgieter | 1892 | 2487 |
59 | J. Groll | 1892 | 2488 |
60 | D. Maarschalk | 1892 | 2489 |
Illustration
The main picture shows no. 50, the S.W. Burger, on a mixed train at Komatipoort, while the picture of the same engine below offers a side view of the 40 Tonner locomotive.
The second picture below offers an overhead view of the 40 Tonner, here being recovered after the Braamfontein disaster of 1896. One of the worst explosions in the history of South Africa occurred at Braamfontein station, Johannesburg, on 19 February 1896. An explosives train carrying between 56 and 60 tons of dynamite, which had been standing for 3½ days in searing heat, was struck by a shunting train and exploded. The blast left a crater 60 metres (197 feet) long, 50 metres (164 feet) wide and 8 metres (26 feet) deep and was heard in Klerksdorp, 200 kilometres (124 miles) away. The exact number of casualties was never ascertained, but at least sixty-two people were killed and more than 200 seriously injured. Surrounding suburbs as far as Fordsburg were partially destroyed. Some 3,000 people lost their homes and almost every window in the town was shattered.[5]
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No. 50 S.W. Burger, circa 1895
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40 Tonner at Braamfontein, 20 February 1896
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways, Volume 1: 1859-1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. pp. 113–114, 116, 121, 126. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
- 1 2 The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 20, 22-23.
- ↑ Reader’s Digest Atlas of Southern Africa, The Reader’s Digest Association South Africa (Pty.) Limited, 1984, (Editor Christoper Walton), p182, ISBN 0 947 008 020
- ↑ Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Office, Pretoria, January 1912, p. 2 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
- ↑ The Great Dynamite Explosion, report by Mr. J.G. Blumberg, Fairmount School, Johannesburg, excerpt from the autobiography of Dutch immigrant Jan de Veer who came to South Africa in 1893.
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