EAR 59 class
Encyclopedia
The East African Railways 59 Class Garratt
was the largest, heaviest and most powerful steam locomotive to operate on any metre gauge railway in the world .
Thirty-four of these oil-fired locomotives were supplied to EAR in 1955-56 by Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd of Manchester.
The locomotives had a 4-8-2+2-8-4 wheel arrangement, weighed 252 tons, and delivered a tractive effort of 83350 lbf (370.76 kN). They were designed to haul 1,200-ton trains on 1.5% gradients and were the mainstay of freight services on the 330-mile run from Mombasa to Nairobi until the late 1970s.
During normal service the locomotives were manned by two regular crews on a 'caboose' basis, one working and one resting in a van with sleeping accommodation, changing over at eight-hour intervals.
The engines, many with Sikh drivers, were kept very clean and the cabs were polished and immaculate. The most famous was 5918 Mount Gelai with a devoted crew known as the 'Magnificent Foursome' who worked her for 16 years.
According to railway photographer Colin Garratt, 'the overall condition of Mount Gelai is possibly unrivalled anywhere in the world today. Her cab interior is more akin to a Sikh Temple than a locomotive footplate for its boiler face abounds in polished brasswork, embellished with mirrors, clocks, silver buckets and a linoleum floor'.
Withdrawal started in 1973 with the last locomotive removed from service in 1980. Mount Gelai was saved from the scrapyard and is now preserved at Nairobi Railway Museum
.
The locomotives were named after mountains in East Africa:
Garratt
A Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
was the largest, heaviest and most powerful steam locomotive to operate on any metre gauge railway in the world .
Thirty-four of these oil-fired locomotives were supplied to EAR in 1955-56 by Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd of Manchester.
The locomotives had a 4-8-2+2-8-4 wheel arrangement, weighed 252 tons, and delivered a tractive effort of 83350 lbf (370.76 kN). They were designed to haul 1,200-ton trains on 1.5% gradients and were the mainstay of freight services on the 330-mile run from Mombasa to Nairobi until the late 1970s.
During normal service the locomotives were manned by two regular crews on a 'caboose' basis, one working and one resting in a van with sleeping accommodation, changing over at eight-hour intervals.
The engines, many with Sikh drivers, were kept very clean and the cabs were polished and immaculate. The most famous was 5918 Mount Gelai with a devoted crew known as the 'Magnificent Foursome' who worked her for 16 years.
According to railway photographer Colin Garratt, 'the overall condition of Mount Gelai is possibly unrivalled anywhere in the world today. Her cab interior is more akin to a Sikh Temple than a locomotive footplate for its boiler face abounds in polished brasswork, embellished with mirrors, clocks, silver buckets and a linoleum floor'.
Withdrawal started in 1973 with the last locomotive removed from service in 1980. Mount Gelai was saved from the scrapyard and is now preserved at Nairobi Railway Museum
Nairobi Railway Museum
The Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, adjacent to Nairobi railway station. Containing exhibits constituting the defunct East African Railways, it was opened in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. It is today operated by Kenya Railways. Coordinates:...
.
The locomotives were named after mountains in East Africa:
- 5901 Mount Kenya
- 5902 Ruwenzori Mountains
- 5903 Mount Meru
- 5904 Mount Elgon
- 5905 Mount Muhavura
- 5906 Mount Sattima
- 5907 Mount Kinangop
- 5908 Mount Loolmalasin
- 5909 Mount Mgahinga
- 5910 Mount Hanang
- 5911 Mount Sekerri
- 5912 Mount Oldeani
- 5913 Mount Debasien
- 5914 Mount Londiani
- 5915 Mount Mtorwi
- 5916 Mount Rungwe
- 5917 Mount Kitumbeine
- 5918 Mount Gelai - preserved at Nairobi Railway MuseumNairobi Railway MuseumThe Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, adjacent to Nairobi railway station. Containing exhibits constituting the defunct East African Railways, it was opened in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. It is today operated by Kenya Railways. Coordinates:...
- 5919 Mount Lengai
- 5920 Mount Mbeya
- 5921 Mount Nyiru
- 5922 Mount Blackett
- 5923 Mount Longonot
- 5924 Mount Eburu
- 5925 Mount Monduli
- 5926 Mount Kimhandu
- 5927 Mount Tinderet
- 5928 Mount Kilimanjaro
- 5929 Mount Longido
- 5930 Mount Shengena - preserved at Nairobi Railway MuseumNairobi Railway MuseumThe Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, adjacent to Nairobi railway station. Containing exhibits constituting the defunct East African Railways, it was opened in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. It is today operated by Kenya Railways. Coordinates:...
- 5931 Ulguru Mountains
- 5932 Ol'donyo Sabuk
- 5933 Mount Suswa
- 5934 Menengai Crater