South African Class C1 4-6-2T

The South African Railways Class C1 4-6-2T of 1901 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Natal Colony.

This article is about one of two different Natal Government Railways locomotive types to be designated "Class H". For the other, see South African Class C2 4-6-4T.

NGR Class H 4-6-2T South African Class C1 4-6-2T
NGR Class H no. 25, renumbered 38 SAR Class C1 no. 77
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Kitson and Company Natal Government Railways Builder Kitson and Company Natal Government Railways South African Railways Serial number Kitson 2507, SAR none Model NGR Class H Build date 1901, 1912 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2T (Pacific)  • UIC 2'C1'n2t Driver 2nd coupled axle Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge Leading dia. 25 ^3⁄4 in (654 mm) Coupled dia. 39 in (991 mm) Trailing dia. 25 ^3⁄4 in (654 mm) Wheelbase 21 ft 8 ^1⁄4 in (6,610 mm)  • Leading 5 ft (1,524 mm)  • Coupled 7 ft 9 in (2,362 mm) Wheel spacing (Asymmetrical) 1-2: 3 ft 7 ^1⁄2 in (1,105 mm) 2-3: 4 ft 1 ^1⁄2 in (1,257 mm) Length: ​  • Over couplers 28 ft 9 ^3⁄4 in (8,782 mm) Height 11 ft 7 ^1⁄2 in (3,543 mm) Frame type Plate Axle load 9 LT 4 cwt (9,348 kg)  • Leading 5 LT 16 cwt (5,893 kg)  • 1st coupled 8 LT 16 cwt (8,941 kg)  • 2nd coupled 9 LT 4 cwt (9,348 kg)  • 3rd coupled 8 LT 9 cwt (8,586 kg)  • Trailing 6 LT 7 cwt (6,452 kg) Adhesive weight 26 LT 9 cwt (26,870 kg) Loco weight 38 LT 12 cwt (39,220 kg) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2 LT 5 cwt (2.3 t) Water cap 1,070 imp gal (4,860 l) Firebox type Round-top  • Firegrate area 13.8 sq ft (1.28 m^2) Boiler: ​  • Pitch 5 ft 10 ^1⁄2 in (1,791 mm)  • Diameter 3 ft 8 ^1⁄8 in (1,121 mm)  • Tube plates 10 ft 3 in (3,124 mm)  • Small tubes 173: 1 ^3⁄4 in (44 mm) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,103 kPa) Heating surface 886.58 sq ft (82.366 m^2)  • Tubes 818.32 sq ft (76.024 m^2)  • Firebox 68.26 sq ft (6.342 m^2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 14 in (356 mm) bore 21 in (533 mm) stroke Valve gear Stephenson Couplers Johnston link-and-pin
Performance figures Tractive effort 12,660 lbf (56.3 kN) @ 75%
Career Operators Natal Government Railways South African Railways Class NGR Class H, SAR Class C1 Number in class NGR 1, SAR 5 Numbers NGR 25, renumbered 38 SAR 77, 325-328 Delivered 1882 First run 1901 Withdrawn 1931

Between 1879 and 1885, the Natal Government Railways placed 37 4-6-0 Tenwheeler type tank steam locomotives in service. In 1901, one of them was rebuilt to a 4-6-2T Pacific type locomotive and in 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and designated Class C1. During 1912, four more of these 4-6-2T locomotives were built by the South African Railways in the Durban workshops, using mostly surplus material.[1][2][3][4]

Manufacturers

The Natal Government Railways (NGR) Class G 4-6-0 tank locomotives, initially known as the K&S Class after their builders, Kitson and Stephenson, were delivered between 1879 and 1884. They had plate frames and used Stephenson valve gear.[2][4]

Rebuilding

G.W. Reid

In 1901, NGR Locomotive Superintendent George William Reid rebuilt one of the Kitson batch of 1882, no. 25, to a 4-6-2 Pacific type wheel arrangement for suburban passenger working on the South Coast line. The NGR later renumbered this locomotive to 38, but it remained known as a K&S type in NGR service until a classification system was introduced at some stage between 1904 and 1908, when it was designated NGR Class H.[2][3][4][5][6]

The rebuilding resulted in a heavier locomotive, with its weight increased from 29 long tons 2 hundredweight (29,570 kilograms) to 38 long tons 12 hundredweight (39,220 kilograms). It had a 5 feet (1,524 millimetres) longer wheelbase and was 2 feet 9 inches (838 millimetres) longer over the couplers. A larger coal bunker increased its fuel carrying capacity from 1 long ton (1.0 tonne) to 2 long tons 5 hundredweight (2.3 tonnes), while larger water tanks increased its capacity from 700 to 1,070 imperial gallons (3,180 to 4,860 litres). It was also equipped with a larger boiler, with the operating pressure increased from 140 to 160 pounds per square inch (965 to 1,103 kilopascals).[2]

South African Railways

When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (Cape Government Railways, NGR and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.[1][7]

In 1912, this locomotive was designated Class C1 by the South African Railways (SAR) and renumbered 77. The rebuilt locomotive ran well and gave such good service that, also in 1912, the SAR built a further four Class C1 locomotives in the Durban workshops, mostly from spare parts and surplus material. These four were numbered in the range from 325 to 328.[1][2][3][4]

Service

The Class C1 was used on suburban passenger working until more powerful locomotives became necessary. They were then relegated to shunting work at various depots until they were withdrawn from service in 1931 and scrapped.[3][4]

References

1. Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912, pp. 7, 11, 13, 19 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
2. Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. 1: 1859–1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
3. Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter III - Natal Government Railways. South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, May 1944. p. 340.
4. Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 10–11, 28–29. ISBN 0869772112.
5. The Railway Report for year ending 31 Dec. 1908, Natal Government Railways, p. 39, par 14.
6. NGR appointment dates - W. Milne & G.W. Reid
7. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.