WAGR B class

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WAGR B class
B8, original condition, 1920-1930.jpg
B8 in original condition
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Kitson & Co (8)
Dübs & Co (3)
Serial number1st batch: 2591-2592
2nd batch: 2153, 2185, 2186
3rd batch: 3780-3785
Build date1884-86, 1898
Total produced11
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 4-6-0T
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.1st & 2nd batches: 600 imp gal (2,700 L; 720 US gal)
3rd batch: 1,000 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,200 US gal)
Firebox:
  Grate area1st & 2nd batches: 10.3 sq ft (0.96 m2)
3rd batch: 11.7 sq ft (1.09 m2)
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 14,239 lbf (63.34 kN)
Career
Operators Western Australian Government Railways
NumbersB8-B9, B12-B14, B180-B185
Dispositionall scrapped

The WAGR B class was a class of 4-6-0T tank locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1884 and 1959.

Contents

History

The first two were ordered from Kitson & Co, Leeds in 1884 to work the steeply graded Eastern Railway from Guildford to Chidlow. A further three were built by Dübs & Co, Glasgow in 1885/86 and a further six by Kitson & Co in 1898. The last batch were built with larger water tanks, with the earlier five having larger tanks retrofitted. In 1903, they were displaced by the K class and relegated to shunting duties. [1] [2]

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the B class were as follows: [3]

Builder's
number
BuilderYear builtRoad
number
In serviceWithdrawnNotes
2591 Kitson & Co 188481 June 188431 March 1924
2592Kitson & Co1884910 May 188430 September 1940Stowed 20 April 1931
2153 Dübs & Co 18851210 January 188631 January 1924
2185Dübs & Co18861312 June 1886early 1897Sold to WN Hedges early 1897
by June 189825 May 1959Repurchased by WAGR by June 1898.
2186Dübs & Co1886146 July 188613 January 1955
3780Kitson & Co189818020 December 18985 May 1955
3781Kitson & Co189818123 February 189917 April 1956
3782Kitson & Co18981822 February 18998 October 1956
3783Kitson & Co18981832 February 189913 January 1955
3784Kitson & Co189818421 February 189913 January 1955
3785Kitson & Co189818516 February 189917 January 1958

Namesake

The B class designation was reused in the 1960s when the B class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Notes

  1. Gunzburg 1984, p. 27–28
  2. Watson, Lindsay (1995). The Railway History of Midland Junction: Commemorating The Centenary Of Midland Junction, 1895-1995. L&S Drafting. p. 10. ISBN   0-646-24461-2.
  3. Gunzburg 1984, p. 28.

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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