WAGR K class

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WAGR K class
K class + pipe train, ca. 1902.jpg
K class with a Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipe train, ca. 1902
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Neilson & Co
Serial number4599-4606, 5040-5045, 5197-5206
Total produced24
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-8-4T
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2.75 long tons 0 cwt (6,200 lb or 2.8 t)
Water cap.2,000 imp gal (9,100 L; 2,400 US gal)
Boiler pressureAs built: 120 lbf/in2 (0.83 MPa)
Reboilered: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Heating surface:
  Firebox16.7 sq ft (1.55 m2)
Cylinder size 17 in × 21 in (432 mm × 533 mm)
Performance figures
Power outputAs built: 15,332 lbf (68.20 kN)
Reboilered: 20,443 lbf (90.93 kN)
Factor of adh. 3.8
Career
Operators Western Australian Government Railways
NumbersK34-K41, K101-K106, K186-K195
First run1893
DispositionAll scrapped

The K-class was a class of 2-8-4T steam locomotives of the Western Australian Government Railways

Contents

History

Between October 1893 and August 1898, the WAGR took delivery of 24 K class locomotives from Neilson & Co. They entered service on the Eastern Railway between Midland Junction and Northam. In 1902, they were displaced from this work by the F class. [1] They then mainly operated freight services on the Collie line and within Perth, although they did operate Royal Perth Show and raceday special passenger services. [2]

In 1915, two were repowered with superheated boilers. A further three followed, but all were converted back by 1937. Further reboilerings increased tractive effort by over 5,100 lbf (22.69 kN). [2]

Six examples originally intended for the WAGR were purchased by the British Government and sent to South Africa to ease a shortage encountered by the Imperial Military Railways resulting from the Boer War, where they became the C class.

Class lists

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the K class were as follows: [1]

First and second batches, built by Neilson & Co, 1893 and 1896:
Builder's
number
Year builtRoad
number
In serviceWithdrawnNotes
459918933424 October 189322 March 1961Converted to Ks, 23 March 1929, and back to K, 1 April 1937
460118933525 October 189312 April 1951
46001893369 December 189325 October 1949
460218933710 November 18936 September 1962
460318933828 February 18941 June 1927
46041893397 March 189429 May 1953Converted to Ks, 12 February 1916, and back to K, 3 October 1925
460518934030 March 18941 August 1963Stowed at Fremantle, 2 August 1961
460618934116 April 18941 June 1927
5040189610117 March 189724 August 1953Converted to Ks, 20 November 1915, and back to K, 22 December 1928
5041189610220 March 189728 June 1955
5042189610323 March 189715 October 1962
5043189610430 March 18977 February 1928Converted to Ks, 8 April 1916; scrapped as Ks
5044189610526 March 189723 November 1962
5045189610631 March 189729 November 1957
Third batch, built by Neilson, Reid & Co, 1898:
Builder's
number
Year builtRoad
number
In serviceWithdrawnNotes
5197189818621 May 189830 July 1953
5198189818726 May 18981 June 1927
5199189818831 May 18981 June 1927
7 March 192815 May 1962Returned to service after first withdrawal
520018981895 June 189830 June 1926
5201189819010 June 18987 December 1964
520218981914 August 189830 June 1926
520318981924 August 18981 June 1927
5204189819312 August 189830 April 1954
520518981944 August 189813 January 1955Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 15 June 1929
5206189819523 July 189815 October 1962Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 25 June 1927

Namesakes

The "K" designation was previously used by the K class of 1891, which in turn were reclassified as the L class. It was reused in the 1960s when the K class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Gunzburg 1984, p. 46.
  2. 1 2 Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 95/96. ISBN   9781921719011.

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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