WAGR G class

WAGR G class
G233 Leschenault Lady at the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Beyer, Peacock & Co
Builder Beyer, Peacock & Co
James Martin & Co
Neilson & Co
Total produced 48
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 2-6-0 (24) and 4-6-0 (24)
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver dia. 3 ft 3 in (991 mm)
Length 2-6-0: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
4-6-0: 40 ft 6 in (12.34 m)
Width 6 ft 11.8 in (2.13 m)
Height 11 ft 5.8 in (3.50 m)
Total weight 2-6-0: 42 long tons 2 cwt (94,300 lb or 42.8 t)
4-6-0: 43 long tons 0 cwt (96,300 lb or 43.7 t)
Fuel type Coal
Water cap 1,600 imp gal (7,300 l; 1,900 US gal)
Boiler pressure 2-6-0: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
4-6-0: 135 lbf/in2 (0.93 MPa)
Cylinder size 14.5 in × 20 in (368 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 2-6-0: 13,801 lbf (61.39 kN)
4-6-0: 11,321 lbf (50.36 kN)
Career
Operators Western Australian Government Railways
First run 1889
Retired 1960s
Preserved G53, G117, G118, G123, G233
Disposition 5 preserved, 43 scrapped

The WAGR G class was a class of steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from 1889. The class's wheel arrangement varied; the first 24 were 2-6-0s and the last 24 4-6-0s.[1]

History

A total of 48 G class engines were acquired by the WAGR between 1889 and 1899, both new and second-hand. They were the first class of locomotives to be introduced to the WAGR network in quantity. They were part of what became almost an Australian 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) standard, as locomotives of similar design served in large numbers as the Silverton Tramway Y class, South Australian Railways Y class and Tasmanian Government Railways C class, and also in Queensland and on the Emu Bay Railway and North Australia Railway.[1][2]

They were designed by Beyer, Peacock & Co who built seven, with James Martin & Co building 29 and Neilson & Co 12.[3][2]

During World War II, 13 were loaned to the Commonwealth Railways for use on the North Australia Railway as their Nfc and Nga classes.[4][5] Others were sold for further use by timber mill operators in Western Australia while some saw further service with the Chillagoe Railway & Mining Co, Cairns. The class remained in service in significant numbers until the 1960s.[3][6]

Survivors

Several have been preserved:[6]

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Gunzburg 1984, p. 29.
  2. 1 2 Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 66–71. ISBN 9781921719011.
  3. 1 2 Gunzburg 1984, pp. 30-34.
  4. ↑ Narrow Gauge NFA & NFC Chris' Commonwealth Railways Information
  5. 1 2 Clark, Peter (2012). The Australian Locomotive Guide. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 9781922013682.
  6. 1 2 Whiteford, David; De Bruin, Charles; Watson, Lindsay; Watson, Neville (1983). Western Australian Preserved Locomotives. Elizabeth: Railmac Publications. p. 16. ISBN 0 949817 19 8.
  7. ↑ G53 Australian Steam
  8. ↑ G117 Australian Steam
  9. ↑ Merredin Railway Museum Australia's Golden Outback
  10. ↑ G118 Australian Steam
  11. ↑ G123 Hotham Valley Railway
  12. ↑ Federation Train Rail Heritage WA

Cited works

  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

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