South African Class NG5 2-8-2
Encyclopedia
In 1922 the South African Railways placed six narrow gauge steam locomotives with a 2-8-2
Mikado wheel arrangement in service on the Otavi branch in South West Africa. When a system of grouping narrow gauge locomotives into classes was eventually introduced somewhere between 1928 and 1930, they were classified as Class NG5.
in Germany in 1921. They were built to the same design as the three Class Hd
locomotives that had been built in 1912 for the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika (DSWA, now Namibia
) for leasing to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company
. The locomotives, numbered NG71 to NG76, were delivered in 1922.
In keeping with SAR practice at the time, they had vacuum train brakes instead of the air brakes that the Class Hd was equipped with. In addition they had slide valves instead of the piston valves used on the Class Hd. Their driving wheel suspension arrangement also differed.
line from Swakopmund
on the Atlantic coast to Tsumeb
and Grootfontein
in South West Africa
(SWA). They spent their whole service life in SWA, except for a brief period when one of them was sent to the Avontuur line in the Eastern Cape for trials. However, since it jammed on the tighter curves in the Langkloof
despite having one set of flangeless driving wheels, it was soon returned to SWA.
They were all withdrawn from service when the SWA system was regauged to Cape gauge
in 1960. Since they were unsuitable for use in the Langkloof, all six 1922 vintage Class NG5 locomotives were sold as scrap in 1962.
2-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
Mikado wheel arrangement in service on the Otavi branch in South West Africa. When a system of grouping narrow gauge locomotives into classes was eventually introduced somewhere between 1928 and 1930, they were classified as Class NG5.
Manufacturer
Six narrow gauge steam locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement were built for the South African Railways (SAR) by Henschel and SonHenschel & Son
Henschel & Son was a German company, situated in Kassel, best known during the 20th century as a maker of transportation equipment, including locomotives, trucks, buses and trolleybuses, and armoured fighting vehicles and weapons....
in Germany in 1921. They were built to the same design as the three Class Hd
South African Class Hd 2-8-2
In 1912 the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika, now Namibia, acquired three Class Hd locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement to lease to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company for use on the line from Swakopmund to Karibib...
locomotives that had been built in 1912 for the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika (DSWA, now Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
) for leasing to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company
Otavi Mining and Railway Company
The Otavi Mining and Railway Company was a railway and mining company in German South-West Africa...
. The locomotives, numbered NG71 to NG76, were delivered in 1922.
Characteristics
Like the predecessor Class Hd, they were superheated, with Walschaerts valve gear and outside plate frames. The new locomotives differed from the Class Hd in having different boilers, which were of the same dimensions but with a different tube arrangement and, consequently, a slightly reduced total heating surface.In keeping with SAR practice at the time, they had vacuum train brakes instead of the air brakes that the Class Hd was equipped with. In addition they had slide valves instead of the piston valves used on the Class Hd. Their driving wheel suspension arrangement also differed.
Classification
In service, these six locomotives and the three Class Hd locomotives were operated in a common pool. 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 six locomotives as well as the three Class Hd locomotives were all classified as Class NG5.Service
The 1922 vintage Class NG5 was placed in service on the 352 miles (566 km) narrow gaugeNarrow 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 :...
line from Swakopmund
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a city on the coast of northwestern Namibia, west of Windhoek, Namibia's capital. It is the capital of the Erongo administrative district. As a seaside resort, the weather is cooler here in December to January so the territorial administration moves to Swakopmund for these months...
on the Atlantic coast to Tsumeb
Tsumeb
Tsumeb is a city of 15,000 inhabitants and the largest town in Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is the home of the world-famous Tsumeb mine, and the "gateway to the north" of Namibia. It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park...
and Grootfontein
Grootfontein
Grootfontein is a city of 14,200 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. It is one of the three towns in the Otavi Triangle, situated on the B8 national road that leads from Windhoek to the Caprivi Strip...
in 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). They spent their whole service life in SWA, except for a brief period when one of them was sent to the Avontuur line in the Eastern Cape for trials. However, since it jammed on the tighter curves in the Langkloof
Langkloof
Langkloof is a 160 km long valley in South Africa, lying between Herold, a small village north of George, and Humansdorp. The kloof was given its name by Isaq Schrijver in 1689, and more thoroughly explored by a later expedition under ensign August Frederik Beutler in 1752.The valley has been...
despite having one set of flangeless driving wheels, it was soon returned to SWA.
They were all withdrawn from service when the SWA system was regauged 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 :...
in 1960. Since they were unsuitable for use in the Langkloof, all six 1922 vintage Class NG5 locomotives were sold as scrap in 1962.
See also
- South African Class Hd 2-8-2South African Class Hd 2-8-2In 1912 the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika, now Namibia, acquired three Class Hd locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement to lease to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company for use on the line from Swakopmund to Karibib...
- South African Class NG15 2-8-2
- The 2-8-2 "Mikado"
- Narrow Gauge locomotive numbering and classification
- List of South African locomotive classes