South African Class F 4-6-4T
Encyclopedia
In 1904 the Central South African Railways
placed eight Class F tank steam locomotive
s with a 4-6-4T wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered but retained their Class F classification.
“Pacific” type passenger locomotive and the Class F 4-6-4T “Hudson” type tank steam locomotive.
Orders for these two classes were placed simultaneously with Vulcan Foundry
of Newton-le-Willows in England. The eight Class F locomotives were delivered in 1904, numbered 260 to 267.
and used saturated steam.
tank locomotives that had been inherited from the Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorwegmaatschappij
(NZASM) via the Imperial Military Railways (IMR). Since the loads were fast becoming too heavy for them, the Class F was designed and ordered as a replacement, intended for the suburban services between Springs and Randfontein.
Hyde considered the Class F and the Class 9 as two of his most successful designs for the CSAR. The tank locomotives were very attractive in appearance, with double red lining on their black livery and the tradition of polished copper-capped chimneys, brass domes and boiler bands that was continued on the CSAR after the IMR era. They were always maintained in immaculate condition while in service and became affectionately known as the “Chocolate Boxes”.
The last of the Class F was withdrawn from service by 1931.
Central South African Railways
From 1902 to 1904, the area of power of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Girouard later also included the lines of The Netherlands-South African Railway Company; together this dominion covered all lines in the Transvaal that belonged to NZASM ....
placed eight Class F 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 with a 4-6-4T wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered but retained their Class F classification.
Manufacturer
The first two locomotive types to be designed for the Central South African Railways (CSAR) by P.A. Hyde, who had been appointed as Chief Locomotive Superintendent of the CSAR upon its inception on 1 July 1902, were placed in service in 1904. These were the Class 9South African Class 9 4-6-2
In 1904 the Central South African Railways placed five Class 9 steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when they were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered but retained their Class 9 classification.-Manufacturer:Five 4-6-2 Pacific...
“Pacific” type passenger locomotive and the Class F 4-6-4T “Hudson” type tank steam locomotive.
Orders for these two classes were placed simultaneously with Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
of Newton-le-Willows in England. The eight Class F locomotives were delivered in 1904, numbered 260 to 267.
Characteristics
Since the Class F and the Class 9 were designed and built simultaneously, there were many similarities between them. Apart from the tank locomotive’s slightly smaller driving wheels, 54 inches (1,371.6 mm) on the Class F compared to 57 inches (1,447.8 mm) on the Class 9, many parts including their boilers were made interchangeable. They had bar frames, Stephenson valve gearStephenson valve gear
The Stephenson valve gear or Stephenson link or shifting link is a simple design of valve gear that was widely used throughout the world for all kinds of steam engine. It is named after Robert Stephenson but was actually invented by his employees....
and used saturated steam.
Renumbering
When the three colonial railroads were amalgamated into the South African Railways (SAR) in 1912, these locomotives retained their Class F classification, but were renumbered 78 to 85.Service
At the time that the Class F locomotives were ordered, the suburban services on the Reef were being worked by the 46 Tonner Class BSouth African Class B 0-6-4T
Between 1893 and 1898 one hundred and seventy-five 46 Tonner 0-6-4T tank steam locomotives were placed in service by the Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorwegmaatschappij in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek....
tank locomotives that had been inherited from the Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorwegmaatschappij
Netherlands-South African Railway Company
The Netherlands-South African Railway Company or NZASM was established in August 1884 in the Transvaal, and funded by Dutch, German and Transvaal capitalists....
(NZASM) via the Imperial Military Railways (IMR). Since the loads were fast becoming too heavy for them, the Class F was designed and ordered as a replacement, intended for the suburban services between Springs and Randfontein.
Hyde considered the Class F and the Class 9 as two of his most successful designs for the CSAR. The tank locomotives were very attractive in appearance, with double red lining on their black livery and the tradition of polished copper-capped chimneys, brass domes and boiler bands that was continued on the CSAR after the IMR era. They were always maintained in immaculate condition while in service and became affectionately known as the “Chocolate Boxes”.
The last of the Class F was withdrawn from service by 1931.
Gallery
The main picture is a Vulcan Foundry builder’s photograph of Class F number 260.See also
- Tank locomotive numbering and classification
- The 4-6-4 "Hudson"
- List of South African locomotive classes