Matheran Light Railway Locomotives 1 to 4

Last updated
MLR nos. 1-4
LBNGR MR740 05-09-11.jpeg
MLR no.740
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Orenstein & Koppel
Serial number1766, 2342, 2343, 1777 [1] [2]
Build date1905 [3] [2] , 1907 [2]
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  Whyte 0-6-0 T
Gauge 2 ft (610 mm)
Driver dia.30 in (0.762 m)
Loco weight15 tons (empty), 17 tons (working)
Water cap.450 imp gal (2,000 L; 540 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area7 sq ft (0.65 m2)
Boiler pressure176 psi
Heating surface452 sq ft (42.0 m2) [4]
Cylinders 2
Cylinder size 11.81 in × 13.78 in (300 mm × 350 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 81,101 lbf (360.76 kN) at 85% boiler pressure [5]
Career
Operators Matheran Hill Railway
NumbersMLR 1-4 (original) [6]
MLR 738-741 (All-India numbers) [6]
First run1907
Retired1982
DispositionAll four preserved

MLR nos. 1-4 were four steam locomotives that operated on the Matheran Hill Railway, supplied by German engineering company Orenstein and Koppel. [7] These locomotives served the railway from its inauguration in 1907, until 1982, when they were withdrawn from service, and completely replaced by diesel locomotives. [8]

Contents

To navigate the tight curves on the MLR, the locomotives were fitted with an articulated wheel design, based on a patent by one John Clark in 1870. [9] The design allowed for the rods to remain parallel to the engine at all times, while the wheels would follow the track's curves. [10] The driving axles were Klien-Lindners.

The locomotives served on the line exclusively until 1965, when diesel traction was introduced on the line. Eventually, the four engines were retired in 1982, [11] with all of them preserved at various locations.

Preserved examples

Out of the four Locomotives, only three remain in India, while the fourth has been transported to the UK in 1986, where it passed through multiple owners.

No.738 is plinthed at a mini-garden near the premises of the Neral Toy Train station. No. 739 is situated at National Rail Museum, New Delhi, while No. 741 is plinthed within the yard premises of Matheran Railway Station. No.740 was the locomotive ferried to UK, and was acquired by Amberley Chalk Pits Museum. It was then overhauled to working order. Between 2003 and 2008, it was on service on Leighton Buzzard Railway After a period at the South Tynedale Railway it was sold to the Darnall Locomotive and Railway Heritage Trust. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Matheran Light Railway 1 to 4". www.wikidata.org.
  2. 1 2 3 Hughes 1994, p. 55.
  3. ↑ "Matheran". June 20, 2018 – via Flickr.
  4. ↑ "Locomotive Magazine and Railway Carriage & Wagon Review". Locomotive Publishing Company. 1907.
  5. ↑ "Matheran Light Railway 740 - IRPS Night Mail". www.irps-wl.org.uk.
  6. 1 2 Hughes 1996, p. 68.
  7. ↑ Railway and locomotive engineering : a practical journal of railway motive power and rolling stock. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. New York : A. Sinclair Co. 1901. p. 383.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. 1 2 "Matheran Light Railway 740 - IRPS Night Mail". www.irps-wl.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  9. ↑ Locomotive Magazine and Railway Carriage & Wagon Review. Locomotive Publishing Company. 1907. p. 49.
  10. ↑ Railway and locomotive engineering : a practical journal of railway motive power and rolling stock. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. New York : A. Sinclair Co. 1901.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. ↑ "Matheran Light Railway 740 - IRPS Night Mail". www.irps-wl.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-01.

Bibliography

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