South African Class NG10 4-6-2
Encyclopedia
In 1916 the South African Railways placed six steam locomotives with a 4-6-2
Pacific wheel arrangement in service on the Langkloof narrow gauge line. When a system of grouping narrow gauge
locomotives into classes was eventually introduced somewhere between 1928 and 1930, they were classified as Class NG10.
the usual British locomotive suppliers were hard pressed to satisfy British requirements and this led to several new locomotive types for the SAR being ordered from North American builders. In 1916 the South African Railways (SAR) placed an order with the Baldwin Locomotive Works
in America for six narrow gauge locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement. The locomotives were delivered in 1916 and were numbered NG61 to NG66.
They were typically American in appearance, with an ornate chimney cap and steam dome as well as a separate running number on a disk on the front of the smokebox door. They had outside bar frames and Walschaerts valve gear.
In 1948 numbers NG63 and NG64 were transferred to South West Africa
(SWA), where they performed yard work, while the rest remained on the Avontuur line performing similar work around Humewood Road in Port Elizabeth.
All six were withdrawn from service by 1962 as a direct result of the widening of the narrow gauge lines in SWA to Cape gauge
.
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 service on the Langkloof narrow gauge line. When a system of grouping narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
locomotives into classes was eventually introduced somewhere between 1928 and 1930, they were classified as Class NG10.
Manufacturer
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the usual British locomotive suppliers were hard pressed to satisfy British requirements and this led to several new locomotive types for the SAR being ordered from North American builders. In 1916 the South African Railways (SAR) placed an order with the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
in America for six narrow gauge locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement. The locomotives were delivered in 1916 and were numbered NG61 to NG66.
Characteristics
The locomotives were more powerful than previous types and, with their more commodious cabs, proved popular with the crews. Since a classification system for narrow gauge locomotives had not yet been adopted by the SAR, these locomotives became popularly known as the Sixties, based on their running number range.They were typically American in appearance, with an ornate chimney cap and steam dome as well as a separate running number on a disk on the front of the smokebox door. They had outside bar frames and Walschaerts valve gear.
Service
They were placed in service on the Langkloof line between Port Elizabeth and Avontuur in the Eastern Cape, where they spent most of their working lives. Much of that time they worked out of Loerie, either assisting up the bank or on the Patensie branch.In 1948 numbers NG63 and NG64 were transferred to South West Africa
South West Africa
South-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
(SWA), where they performed yard work, while the rest remained on the Avontuur line performing similar work around Humewood Road in Port Elizabeth.
Classification and withdrawal
The system of grouping narrow gauge locomotives into classes was only adopted by the SAR somewhere between 1928 and 1930 and at that point these locomotives were classified as Class NG10.All six were withdrawn from service by 1962 as a direct result of the widening of the narrow gauge lines in SWA to Cape gauge
Cape gauge
Cape gauge is a track gauge of between the inside of the rail heads and is classified as narrow gauge. It has installations of around .The gauge was first used by Norwegian engineer Carl Abraham Pihl and the first line was opened in 1862.- Nomenclature :...
.
See also
- The 4-6-2 "Pacific"
- Narrow Gauge locomotive numbering and classification
- List of South African locomotive classes
- Two foot gauge railways in South AfricaTwo foot gauge railways in South AfricaAt the beginning of the twentieth century, two foot narrow gauge railway lines started playing a significant role in transporting various agricultural and mineral produce from locations hardly accessible by road...