South African Class 16C 4-6-2
Encyclopedia
During 1919 the South African Railways placed ten Class 16C steam locomotives with a 4-6-2
Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Another twenty were placed in service in 1922.
(NBL) in Glasgow
, Scotland
. Ten locomotives were delivered in 1919, numbered 812 to 821. A second order followed in 1921 for another twenty locomotives, numbered 822 to 841 when they were delivered in 1922.
They were identical to predecessors Class 16
and Class 16B
in most respects, except that Hendrie had added a combustion chamber to the boiler, similar to that of the Class 15A
, externally visible as an extension of the Belpaire firebox
hump.
The Class 16C proved to be excellent locomotives that were popular with the locomotive crews, being free-steaming, fast and reliable, with a reserve of power greater than that of either the Class 16 or Class 16B. On one occasion in 1922 one of them, working between Bloemfontein
and Kroonstad
, hauled a train of eighteen main line saloons, a load that would have been considered good for the much more modern Class 15F
of 1938.
and Class 16DA
, the Class 16C were all delivered with 60 inches (1,524 mm) driving wheels. Their as delivered boiler operating pressure was set at 190 pound per square inches (1,310 kPa). Two of them, numbers 821 and 825, were later equipped with 63 inches (1,600.2 mm) driving wheels, similar to the modification that was also done on some Class 16D and Class 16DA locomotives. In the process their boiler operating pressure was raised to 200 pound per square inches (1,379 kPa) in order to not have their tractive effort reduced by the larger driving wheels. Both remained classified as Class 16C.
Eventually all thirty Class 16C locomotives, including numbers 821 and 825 with their larger 63 inches (1,600.2 mm) driving wheels, were reboilered with Watson Standard no. 2B boilers and reclassified to Class 16CR. In the process of reboilering the main difference between the Class 16B
and Class 16C, Hendrie’s combustion chamber behind the 16C boiler, disappeared and Class 16B locomotives that were reboilered with Watson Standard boilers were also reclassified to Class 16CR.
Early conversions were equipped with copper and later conversions with steel fireboxes. In the process they were also equipped with Watson cabs, with their distinctive slanted fronts compared to the conventional vertical fronts of their original cabs.
An obvious visual difference between an original and a Watson Standard reboilered locomotive is usually a rectangular regulator cover just to the rear of the chimney on the reboilered locomotive. In the case of the Class 16C and Class 16CR two even more obvious visual differences are the Watson cab and the absence of the Belpaire firebox hump between the cab and boiler on the reboilered locomotives.
and Johannesburg
, hauling all the important passenger trains of the time such as the Natal mail train on the section between Johannesburg and Volksrust
and the Cape mail train on the section between Johannesburg and Klerksdorp. When replaced by newer locomotives like the Class 16D
, they were relegated to less glamorous passenger duties until, by the 1940s, they were in suburban and transfer service.
During the 1950s some were relocated to Durban
to assist the Class 14Rs
on the South Coast line. When this line was electrified in 1967, they were again relocated, this time to Port Elizabeth where they worked suburban trains to Uitenhage
.
Others remained on the Witwatersrand
, working the suburban to Springs
and Nigel
, double-heading with Class 15ARs
on Pietersburg bound trains out of Pretoria, as well as shunting and local pick up duties. Some of their last passenger duties was on the Breyten line during 1967 and 1968.
They were sure-footed enough to take to shunting work as readily as to the fast passenger service that they were originally designed for, to the extent that some of their last duties at the Springs shed was to take over shunting duties from the Class S2
shunting locomotives. They were withdrawn from service between 1975 and 1976, with some being sold to start a second career in industrial service.
Colliery, and were at one time seconded to Durban Navigation Collieries (Durnacol) in Natal
. Number 838 went to Klipfontein Organic Products and later to the St Helena Gold Mine, and five went directly to the St Helena Gold Mine. At St Helena they were, as best as could be ascertained, renumbered as set out in the table below:
on 15 April 1978.
4-6-2
4-6-2, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle .These locomotives are also known as Pacifics...
Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Another twenty were placed in service in 1922.
Manufacturer
The Class 16C 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A. Hendrie, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the South African Railways (SAR) from 1910 to 1922, and built by the North British Locomotive CompanyNorth British Locomotive Company
The North British Locomotive Company was created in 1903 through the merger of three Glasgow locomotive manufacturing companies; Sharp Stewart and Company , Neilson, Reid and Company and Dübs and Company , creating the largest locomotive manufacturing company in Europe.Its main factories were...
(NBL) in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Ten locomotives were delivered in 1919, numbered 812 to 821. A second order followed in 1921 for another twenty locomotives, numbered 822 to 841 when they were delivered in 1922.
They were identical to predecessors Class 16
South African Class 16 4-6-2
In 1914 the South African Railways placed twelve Class 16 steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
and Class 16B
South African Class 16B 4-6-2
In November 1917 the South African Railways placed ten Class 16B steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16B 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
in most respects, except that Hendrie had added a combustion chamber to the boiler, similar to that of the Class 15A
South African Class 15A 4-8-2
Between 1914 and 1925 the South African Railways placed one hundred and nineteen Class 15A steam locomotives with a 4-8-2 Mountain wheel arrangement in service, delivered in ten batches from three manufacturers.-Manufacturers:...
, externally visible as an extension of the Belpaire firebox
Belpaire firebox
The Belpaire firebox is a type of firebox used on steam locomotives. It was invented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium. It has a greater surface area at the top of the firebox, improving heat transfer and steam production...
hump.
The Class 16C proved to be excellent locomotives that were popular with the locomotive crews, being free-steaming, fast and reliable, with a reserve of power greater than that of either the Class 16 or Class 16B. On one occasion in 1922 one of them, working between Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
and Kroonstad
Kroonstad
Kroonstad is the third-largest town in the Free State province of South Africa, and lies two hours drive from Gauteng. In the 1991 census it had a population of 110,963...
, hauled a train of eighteen main line saloons, a load that would have been considered good for the much more modern Class 15F
South African Class 15F 4-8-2
The Class 15F was the most numerous steam locomotive class in South African Railways service. Between 1938 and 1946 two hundred and fifty-five of these steam locomotives with a 4-8-2 Mountain wheel arrangement were placed in service.-Manufacturers:...
of 1938.
Larger driving wheels
Like the subsequent Class 16DSouth African Class 16D 4-6-2
In 1925 the South African Railways placed two Class 16D locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Five more were placed in service in 1926.-Manufacturer:...
and Class 16DA
South African Class 16DA 4-6-2
In 1928 the South African Railways placed six Class 16DA steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Eight more were placed in service in 1929, and another six in 1930.-Manufacturers:...
, the Class 16C were all delivered with 60 inches (1,524 mm) driving wheels. Their as delivered boiler operating pressure was set at 190 pound per square inches (1,310 kPa). Two of them, numbers 821 and 825, were later equipped with 63 inches (1,600.2 mm) driving wheels, similar to the modification that was also done on some Class 16D and Class 16DA locomotives. In the process their boiler operating pressure was raised to 200 pound per square inches (1,379 kPa) in order to not have their tractive effort reduced by the larger driving wheels. Both remained classified as Class 16C.
Watson Standard boilers
During the 1930s many serving locomotives were reboilered with a standard boiler type designed by A.G. Watson, CME of the SAR from 1929 to 1936, as part of his standardisation policy. Such Watson Standard reboilered locomotives were reclassified by adding an "R" suffix to their classification.Eventually all thirty Class 16C locomotives, including numbers 821 and 825 with their larger 63 inches (1,600.2 mm) driving wheels, were reboilered with Watson Standard no. 2B boilers and reclassified to Class 16CR. In the process of reboilering the main difference between the Class 16B
South African Class 16B 4-6-2
In November 1917 the South African Railways placed ten Class 16B steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16B 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
and Class 16C, Hendrie’s combustion chamber behind the 16C boiler, disappeared and Class 16B locomotives that were reboilered with Watson Standard boilers were also reclassified to Class 16CR.
Early conversions were equipped with copper and later conversions with steel fireboxes. In the process they were also equipped with Watson cabs, with their distinctive slanted fronts compared to the conventional vertical fronts of their original cabs.
An obvious visual difference between an original and a Watson Standard reboilered locomotive is usually a rectangular regulator cover just to the rear of the chimney on the reboilered locomotive. In the case of the Class 16C and Class 16CR two even more obvious visual differences are the Watson cab and the absence of the Belpaire firebox hump between the cab and boiler on the reboilered locomotives.
South African Railways
The Class 16C Pacifics were placed in express passenger service working out of PretoriaPretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
and Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, hauling all the important passenger trains of the time such as the Natal mail train on the section between Johannesburg and Volksrust
Volksrust
Volksrust is a town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa on the KwaZulu-Natal provincial border. The town has important beef, dairy, maize, sorghum, wool and sunflower seed industries. It was established near to where the Battle of Majuba, wherein the Transvaal won its independence back...
and the Cape mail train on the section between Johannesburg and Klerksdorp. When replaced by newer locomotives like the Class 16D
South African Class 16D 4-6-2
In 1925 the South African Railways placed two Class 16D locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Five more were placed in service in 1926.-Manufacturer:...
, they were relegated to less glamorous passenger duties until, by the 1940s, they were in suburban and transfer service.
During the 1950s some were relocated to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
to assist the Class 14Rs
South African Class 14 4-8-2
Between 1913 and 1915 the South African Railways placed forty-five Class 14 steam locomotives with a 4-8-2 Mountain wheel arrangement in service.-Manufacturer:...
on the South Coast line. When this line was electrified in 1967, they were again relocated, this time to Port Elizabeth where they worked suburban trains to Uitenhage
Uitenhage
Uitenhage is a South African town with 275,185 inhabitants in the Eastern Cape Province. It is well known for the Volkswagen factory located there, which is the biggest car factory on the African continent. The town's name is pronounced by English speakers and in Afrikaans...
.
Others remained on the Witwatersrand
Witwatersrand
The Witwatersrand is a low, sedimentary range of hills, at an elevation of 1700–1800 metres above sea-level, which runs in an east-west direction through Gauteng in South Africa. The word in Afrikaans means "the ridge of white waters". Geologically it is complex, but the principal formations...
, working the suburban to Springs
Springs, Gauteng
Springs is a city on the East Rand in the Gauteng province of South Africa.It lies 50 km east of Johannesburg. The name of the city derives from the large number of springs in the area; it has a population of more than 200,000, and is situated at 5,340 ft a.s.l...
and Nigel
Nigel, Gauteng
Nigel is a small gold mining town in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The town is on the edge of the area known as the East Rand, the industrial engine room of Johannesburg....
, double-heading with Class 15ARs
South African Class 15A 4-8-2
Between 1914 and 1925 the South African Railways placed one hundred and nineteen Class 15A steam locomotives with a 4-8-2 Mountain wheel arrangement in service, delivered in ten batches from three manufacturers.-Manufacturers:...
on Pietersburg bound trains out of Pretoria, as well as shunting and local pick up duties. Some of their last passenger duties was on the Breyten line during 1967 and 1968.
They were sure-footed enough to take to shunting work as readily as to the fast passenger service that they were originally designed for, to the extent that some of their last duties at the Springs shed was to take over shunting duties from the Class S2
South African Class S2 0-8-0
In 1952 and 1953 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class S2 shunter steam locomotives with a 0-8-0 wheel arrangement in service.-Design specifications:...
shunting locomotives. They were withdrawn from service between 1975 and 1976, with some being sold to start a second career in industrial service.
Industry
Two Class 16CRs, numbers 813 and 818, were sold to Dunn’s Locomotive Works to be employed at DelmasDelmas, Mpumalanga
Delmas is a small farming town situated east of Johannesburg in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The farms in the region produce maize, wheat, potatoes and chickens. The town was laid out in 1907 on the farm Witklip . The farm was owned by a Frenchman Frank Dumat, who decided to call the town "de le mas" ....
Colliery, and were at one time seconded to Durban Navigation Collieries (Durnacol) in Natal
Natal Province
Natal, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese, was a province of South Africa from 1910 until 1994. Its capital was Pietermaritzburg. The Natal Province included the bantustan of KwaZulu...
. Number 838 went to Klipfontein Organic Products and later to the St Helena Gold Mine, and five went directly to the St Helena Gold Mine. At St Helena they were, as best as could be ascertained, renumbered as set out in the table below:
| SAR No. |
SHGM No. |
|---|---|
| 815 | 6 |
| 817 | 5 |
| 819 | 2 |
| 821 | 1 |
| 838 | 3 |
| 839 | 4 |
Gallery
The main picture shows Class 16CR 840 in shunting service at De Aar, Cape ProvinceCape Province
The Province of the Cape of Good Hope was a province in the Union of South Africa and subsequently the Republic of South Africa...
on 15 April 1978.
See also
- South African Class 16 4-6-2South African Class 16 4-6-2In 1914 the South African Railways placed twelve Class 16 steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
- South African Class 16A 4-6-2South African Class 16A 4-6-2In 1915 the South African Railways placed two Class 16A four-cylinder simple steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16A 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
- South African Class 16B 4-6-2South African Class 16B 4-6-2In November 1917 the South African Railways placed ten Class 16B steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:The Class 16B 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive was designed by D.A...
- South African Class 16D 4-6-2South African Class 16D 4-6-2In 1925 the South African Railways placed two Class 16D locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Five more were placed in service in 1926.-Manufacturer:...
- South African Class 16DA 4-6-2South African Class 16DA 4-6-2In 1928 the South African Railways placed six Class 16DA steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service. Eight more were placed in service in 1929, and another six in 1930.-Manufacturers:...
- South African Class 16E 4-6-2South African Class 16E 4-6-2In 1935 the South African Railways placed six Class 16E steam locomotives with a Pacific wheel arrangement in passenger train service.-Manufacturer:...
- Tender locomotive numbering and classification
- Watson Standard boilers
- The 4-6-2 "Pacific"
- List of South African locomotive classes