South African Class C2 4-6-4T
Encyclopedia
Between 1879 and 1885 the Natal Government Railways
placed thirty-seven 4-6-0T tank steam locomotive
s in service. In 1896 one of them was rebuilt to a 4-6-4T locomotive and in 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, this locomotive was renumbered and reclassified to the sole Class C2.
, were delivered between 1879 and 1884. They had plate frames and used Stephenson valve gear.
In 1896 W. Milne, who was appointed as Locomotive Superintendent of the NGR in 1877, rebuilt one of the Stephenson batch of 1882, number 21, to a 4-6-4T wheel arrangement for use in shuttle service on the South Coast line. At the time there were no turntables available on this line and the modification was made to enable the locomotive to run equally well in either direction. The NGR later renumbered this locomotive to 39, but it remained known as a K&S type in NGR service.
The rebuilding resulted in a heavier locomotive, with its weight increased from 29.1 long tons (29.6 t) to 33.1 long tons (33.6 t). It had an 8 in 11 in (2.72 m) longer wheelbase and was 5 foot longer over the buffers. A larger coal bunker increased its fuel carrying capacity from 1 long tons (1 t) to 2 long tons (2 t) and larger water tanks increased its capacity from 700 to 1130 imp gal (3,182.3 to 5,137.1 l). The operating pressure of its boiler was reduced from 175 pound per square inch.
Natal government railways
The Natal Government Railways was formed in January 1877 in the Colony of Natal.In 1877 the Natal Government Railways acquired the Natal Railway Company for the sum of £40,000, gaining the line from the Point to Durban and from Durban to Umgeni...
placed thirty-seven 4-6-0T tank steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s in service. In 1896 one of them was rebuilt to a 4-6-4T locomotive and in 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, this locomotive was renumbered and reclassified to the sole Class C2.
Manufacturers
The Natal Government Railways (NGR) Class K&S 4-6-0T tank locomotives, so named after their builders, Kitson and Company and Robert Stephenson and CompanyRobert Stephenson and Company
Robert Stephenson and Company was a locomotive manufacturing company founded in 1823. It was the first company set up specifically to build railway engines.- Foundation and early success :...
, were delivered between 1879 and 1884. They had plate frames and used Stephenson valve gear.
In 1896 W. Milne, who was appointed as Locomotive Superintendent of the NGR in 1877, rebuilt one of the Stephenson batch of 1882, number 21, to a 4-6-4T wheel arrangement for use in shuttle service on the South Coast line. At the time there were no turntables available on this line and the modification was made to enable the locomotive to run equally well in either direction. The NGR later renumbered this locomotive to 39, but it remained known as a K&S type in NGR service.
The rebuilding resulted in a heavier locomotive, with its weight increased from 29.1 long tons (29.6 t) to 33.1 long tons (33.6 t). It had an 8 in 11 in (2.72 m) longer wheelbase and was 5 foot longer over the buffers. A larger coal bunker increased its fuel carrying capacity from 1 long tons (1 t) to 2 long tons (2 t) and larger water tanks increased its capacity from 700 to 1130 imp gal (3,182.3 to 5,137.1 l). The operating pressure of its boiler was reduced from 175 pound per square inch.
Renumbering
When the various colonial railroads were amalgamated into the South African Railways (SAR) in 1912, this locomotive became the SAR’s Class C2 and was renumbered 86.Service
The Class C2 was used on branch line work and for shunting until it was withdrawn from service in 1931.See also
- South African Class C 4-6-0TSouth African Class C 4-6-0TBetween 1879 and 1885 the Natal Government Railways placed thirty-seven 4-6-0T tank steam locomotives in service. In 1912, when fifteen of these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered and reclassified to Class C....
- South African Class C1 4-6-2TSouth African Class C1 4-6-2TBetween 1879 and 1885 the Natal Government Railways placed thirty-seven 4-6-0T tank steam locomotives in service. In 1901 one of them was rebuilt to a 4-6-2T locomotive and in 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and reclassified to Class C1...
- Tank locomotive numbering and classification
- The 4-6-4 "Hudson"
- List of South African locomotive classes