South Australian Railways K class

The South Australian Railways K Class Locomotives were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the South Australian Railways from 1878-1884.[1]

South Australian Railways K Class
South Australian Railways K Class No. 66
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock and Company Build date 1879-1884 Total produced 18 Rebuilder Islington Railway Workshops Rebuild date 1889-1914 Number rebuilt 13
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-4 Tank  • UIC C2' T Gauge 5'3" Broad Gauge 3'6" Narrow Gauge Driver dia. 4 ft. Length 32 ft. 6¼ in. Axle load 8 tons 18 cwt Loco weight 42 tons 19 cwt Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 1 ton 18 cwt Water cap 1,060 gallons Firebox:  • Firegrate area 15 square feet Boiler pressure 130 lbs p.s.i. Heating surface:  • Tubes 830.8 square feet  • Firebox 89.4 square feet Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 16½ in. x 20 in.
Performance figures Tractive effort 12,535 lbs
Career Operators South Australian Railways Class K Number in class 18 Numbers 34-37, 42 & 57-69 First run 22.2.1879 Withdrawn 1936-1956 Scrapped 1936-1956 Disposition all scrapped

History

The K class locomotives were designed to work on lightly laid track, for the extension from Kapunda to Morgan. This part of the line opened up in 1878. The result of this had the South Australian Railways order the first batch of K class locomotives, which were constructed by Beyer, Peacock and Company. The K class were placed into service on the Kapunda to Morgan line in 1879. Unfortunately the K class was not a very successful locomotive on this service, they were replaced only 12 months after they entered service on the line. They were not successful due to broken crank axles, fracturing of their gunmetal axleboxes and excessive tyre wear on the leading driving wheels. Despite the problems the K class had at first, they were overcome eventually and more K class locomotives were ordered from Beyer, Peacock and Company. After their short stint on the Kapunda to Morgan line the K class successfully worked on the Port line, where they would haul loads up to 550 tons from Adelaide. When these locomotives worked to Terowie, water "gins" were attached for the longer run into the country. Some of the class were used to help with construction trains, including trains required for the Adelaide Hills line to Nairne. K class locomotive No. 60 was subsequently obtained by the S.A.R. from a contractor. When the S.A.R. acquired the Glenelg Railway Company and its railway lines on the 16th of October 1899, the K class were permitted to work on the South Terrace to Glenelg service from Adelaide. Other work was found for the K class on the newly opened Murraylands lines radiating from Tailem Bend and the older Strathalbyn to Milang branchline. In time the larger and more powerful locomotives appearing on the S.A.R. system made this quite useful class of tank engine obsolete.[2]

References

1. Drymalik, Chris. "Broad Gauge K-class 0-6-4 tank locomotives". Chris's Commonwealth Railways Information (ComRails). Retrieved 1 August 2019.
2. FLUCK, R. E.; SAMPSON, R.; BIRD, K. J. (1986). STEAM LOCOMOTIVES AND RAILCARS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. South Australia: Mile End Railway Museum (S.A.) Inc. p. 54. ISBN 0959 5073 37.