SAR NG15 Class
Encyclopedia
In 1931 three narrow gauge
locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement, similar in design to their existing Class Hd and Class NG5 locomotives, were acquired for the Otavi Mining and Railway Company
in South West Africa
. More were purchased for the Otavi and for the Tsumeb
Copper Corporation during the subsequent years, eventually bringing the total number of these locomotives up to twenty-one by 1958.
When the narrow gauge Otavi Railway was regauged to Cape gauge
in 1960, all twenty-one locomotives were taken over by the South African Railways. They were classified as Class NG15 and transferred to the Eastern Cape
for further service on the narrow gauge line from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur.
for the Otavi Mining and Railway Company. The company operated a 352 miles (566 km) narrow gauge line across the Namib Desert from Swakopmund
on the Atlantic coast to Tsumeb
and Grootfontein
in South West Africa
(SWA, now Namibia
). The first three locomotives were delivered in 1931, numbered 17 to 19, followed by three more in 1939, numbered 117 to 119.
Ten more of these locomotives were built for the Otavi line by Société Franco-Belge
and delivered in two batches of five in 1950 and 1953, numbered 120 to 124 and 132 to 136 respectively.
In 1958 five more of these locomotives, once again built by Henschel, were delivered to the Tsumeb Copper Corporation, numbered TC1 to TC5, for use by the SAR in terms of an agreement between the SAR and the Corporation.
and SAR Class NG5
locomotives of the Otavi Mining and Railway Company in SWA.
) by the German government in 1912. They were numbered 40 to 42 in the Otavi fleet. These locomotives had piston valves and, at 59 long tons (59.9 t), they were considerably larger than earlier main line Otavi locomotives, which were typically less than 23 long tons (23.4 t) in full working order.
The Otavi Class Hd locomotives came into SAR ownership in 1923 when the Otavi Railway was nationalised. Ex Otavi Railway locomotives retained their pre-SAR running numbers, but had the prefix SW (for South West) added to their existing numbers to distinguish them from SAR narrow gauge locomotives that bore the same running numbers.
by the SAR who had become responsible for operating all railways in SWA after World War I.
These locomotives had slide valves instead of the piston valves that were used on the Class Hd and the driving wheel suspension arrangement also differed. One of these Class NG5 locomotives was sent to the Avontuur line in South Africa for trials, but since it jammed on the tighter curves in the Langkloof
despite having one set of flangeless driving wheels, it was returned to SWA.
All six Class NG5 locomotives were sold as scrap in 1962.
Since the earlier trials with the Class NG5 locomotive, the sharpest curves on the Avontuur line had been eased and the experience gained in the process was taken into consideration during the design of the Class NG15. The leading pair of driving wheels of the Class NG15 have a limited amount of sideplay and are linked to the leading pony truck, while the axle of the leading driving wheels still remain parallel to the other three driving axles at all times.
This linking of a pony truck and driving axle is known as a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie
, an invention of Richard von Helmholtz
who was the chief designer at the Krauss works
in Munich
from 1884 to 1917. On standard gauge
railways in Europe
the inclusion of a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie has allowed the use of large 2-10-0
locomotives on sharply curved mountain sections. Some early electric locomotives also used Krauss-Helmholtz bogies.
, not in the Kalahari.
When it was first introduced on the Avontuur line, the Class NG15 was not allowed to work beyond Humansdorp
from Port Elizabeth because of a lack of turning facilities in the Langkloof. This was rectified by the construction of a triangle at the end of the line at Avontuur, something that until then had not been required in the Langkloof since it had been the domain of bi-directional Garratt
locomotives.
In the last years of steam traction on the Avontuur line the Class NG15 was unique in being the only non-Garratt steam locomotive working in the Langkloof. Outside the apple season the Class NG15 became well known for hauling the Apple Express from the Humewood Road railway station in Port Elizabeth to Loerie and back every Saturday to cater for tourists. It gained further fame when the Apple Express instituted an annual train race marathon where athletes could compete against an Apple Express filled with spectators.
The builders, works numbers and SAR renumberings of the Class NG15 locomotives are set out in the table below.
built Class 91-000 diesel-electric locomotive in 1973. Diesel and steam served the Langkloof together for some years, but by the mid 1980s road transport had triumphed over rail transport on the apple route as well, and the narrow gauge steam fleet was retired.
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement, similar in design to their existing Class Hd and Class NG5 locomotives, were acquired for the Otavi Mining and Railway Company
Otavi Mining and Railway Company
The Otavi Mining and Railway Company was a railway and mining company in German South-West Africa...
in South West Africa
South West Africa
South-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
. More were purchased for the Otavi and for the Tsumeb
Tsumeb
Tsumeb is a city of 15,000 inhabitants and the largest town in Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is the home of the world-famous Tsumeb mine, and the "gateway to the north" of Namibia. It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park...
Copper Corporation during the subsequent years, eventually bringing the total number of these locomotives up to twenty-one by 1958.
When the narrow gauge Otavi Railway was regauged to Cape gauge
Cape gauge
Cape gauge is a track gauge of between the inside of the rail heads and is classified as narrow gauge. It has installations of around .The gauge was first used by Norwegian engineer Carl Abraham Pihl and the first line was opened in 1862.- Nomenclature :...
in 1960, all twenty-one locomotives were taken over by the South African Railways. They were classified as Class NG15 and transferred to the Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
for further service on the narrow gauge line from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur.
Manufacturers
The Class NG15 2-8-2 narrow gauge steam locomotive was designed by the South African Railways (SAR) and built by Henschel and SonHenschel & Son
Henschel & Son was a German company, situated in Kassel, best known during the 20th century as a maker of transportation equipment, including locomotives, trucks, buses and trolleybuses, and armoured fighting vehicles and weapons....
for the Otavi Mining and Railway Company. The company operated a 352 miles (566 km) narrow gauge line across the Namib Desert from Swakopmund
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a city on the coast of northwestern Namibia, west of Windhoek, Namibia's capital. It is the capital of the Erongo administrative district. As a seaside resort, the weather is cooler here in December to January so the territorial administration moves to Swakopmund for these months...
on the Atlantic coast to Tsumeb
Tsumeb
Tsumeb is a city of 15,000 inhabitants and the largest town in Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is the home of the world-famous Tsumeb mine, and the "gateway to the north" of Namibia. It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park...
and Grootfontein
Grootfontein
Grootfontein is a city of 14,200 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. It is one of the three towns in the Otavi Triangle, situated on the B8 national road that leads from Windhoek to the Caprivi Strip...
in South West Africa
South West Africa
South-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
(SWA, now Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
). The first three locomotives were delivered in 1931, numbered 17 to 19, followed by three more in 1939, numbered 117 to 119.
Ten more of these locomotives were built for the Otavi line by Société Franco-Belge
Société Franco-Belge
The Société Franco-Belge de Matériel de Chemins de Fer was a French engineering firm that specialised mainly in the construction of railway vehicles and their components and accessories. Its was based at Raismes in the Département Nord in France...
and delivered in two batches of five in 1950 and 1953, numbered 120 to 124 and 132 to 136 respectively.
In 1958 five more of these locomotives, once again built by Henschel, were delivered to the Tsumeb Copper Corporation, numbered TC1 to TC5, for use by the SAR in terms of an agreement between the SAR and the Corporation.
Evolution
The Class NG15 2-8-2 locomotive was a development of the Otavi Class HdSouth African Class Hd 2-8-2
In 1912 the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika, now Namibia, acquired three Class Hd locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement to lease to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company for use on the line from Swakopmund to Karibib...
and SAR Class NG5
South African Class NG5 2-8-2
In 1922 the South African Railways placed six narrow gauge steam locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement in service on the Otavi branch in South West Africa...
locomotives of the Otavi Mining and Railway Company in SWA.
Otavi Class Hd
Three Otavi Class Hd 2-8-2 locomotives, built by Henschel with builder's works numbers 10720 to 10722, were supplied on lease to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika (DSWA, now NamibiaNamibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
) by the German government in 1912. They were numbered 40 to 42 in the Otavi fleet. These locomotives had piston valves and, at 59 long tons (59.9 t), they were considerably larger than earlier main line Otavi locomotives, which were typically less than 23 long tons (23.4 t) in full working order.
The Otavi Class Hd locomotives came into SAR ownership in 1923 when the Otavi Railway was nationalised. Ex Otavi Railway locomotives retained their pre-SAR running numbers, but had the prefix SW (for South West) added to their existing numbers to distinguish them from SAR narrow gauge locomotives that bore the same running numbers.
- Number SW40 is believed to have been the last locomotive in steam on the narrow gauge Otavi Railway during September 1961, shortly before the demolition of the line was completed. It was then placed on display at UsakosUsakosUsakos is a city on the banks of river Khan, 140 kilometres north-east of Swakopmund in the Erongo Region of Namibia. It is located on the B2 , the main road between the Walvis Bay and Johannesburg. The town has 3,000 inhabitants and owns of land...
station, which had become the southern terminus and works location of the narrow gauge line after World War I. - Number SW41 was retained with the intention to display it in a museum in WindhoekWindhoekWindhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
. In 1960 it was plinthed at OtjiwarongoOtjiwarongoOtjiwarongo is a city of 20,000 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia. It is the district capital of the Otjiwarongo electoral constituency and also the capital of Otjozondjupa....
station. - Number SW42 was sold as scrap in 1962.
Class NG5
Six similar Henschel built locomotives were placed in service in 1922, subsequently classified as Class NG5South African Class NG5 2-8-2
In 1922 the South African Railways placed six narrow gauge steam locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement in service on the Otavi branch in South West Africa...
by the SAR who had become responsible for operating all railways in SWA after World War I.
These locomotives had slide valves instead of the piston valves that were used on the Class Hd and the driving wheel suspension arrangement also differed. One of these Class NG5 locomotives was sent to the Avontuur line in South Africa for trials, but since it jammed on the tighter curves in the Langkloof
Langkloof
Langkloof is a 160 km long valley in South Africa, lying between Herold, a small village north of George, and Humansdorp. The kloof was given its name by Isaq Schrijver in 1689, and more thoroughly explored by a later expedition under ensign August Frederik Beutler in 1752.The valley has been...
despite having one set of flangeless driving wheels, it was returned to SWA.
All six Class NG5 locomotives were sold as scrap in 1962.
Class NG15
The drawing board work for the Class NG15 has been attributed to the one time Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Otavi Railway, a German engineer known in SWA as Mr. Peters, who was employed as a draughtsman by the SAR. The usual practice of the SAR in the steam era was to design locomotives in their own drawing offices and to then go out and find a builder.Since the earlier trials with the Class NG5 locomotive, the sharpest curves on the Avontuur line had been eased and the experience gained in the process was taken into consideration during the design of the Class NG15. The leading pair of driving wheels of the Class NG15 have a limited amount of sideplay and are linked to the leading pony truck, while the axle of the leading driving wheels still remain parallel to the other three driving axles at all times.
This linking of a pony truck and driving axle is known as a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie
Krauss-Helmholtz bogie
A Krauss-Helmholtz bogie is a mechanism used on a steam locomotive, where a carrying axle is connected to a coupled axle via a lever such that when the carrying axle swings to the side on going round a curve, it causes the coupled axle to move sideways in the opposite direction...
, an invention of Richard von Helmholtz
Richard von Helmholtz
Richard Wilhelm Ferdinand von Helmholtz was a German engineer and designer of steam locomotives.Richard von Helmholtz was born on 28 September 1852 in Königsberg, Prussia, the son of the physicist Hermann von Helmholtz and his first wife Olga, née von Velten.After studying in Stuttgart and Munich,...
who was the chief designer at the Krauss works
George Krauss
George, Baron von Krauss was a German industrialist and the founder of the Krauss Locomotive Works in Munich, Germany and Linz, Upper Austria...
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
from 1884 to 1917. On standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railways in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
the inclusion of a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie has allowed the use of large 2-10-0
2-10-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-10-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, ten powered and coupled driving wheels on five axles, and no trailing wheels...
locomotives on sharply curved mountain sections. Some early electric locomotives also used Krauss-Helmholtz bogies.
Relocation
In SWA the Otavi Class Hd, Class NG5 and Class NG15 Mikado locomotives operated in a common pool. In 1960, when all the SWA narrow gauge lines were widened to Cape gauge, the Class Hd and Class NG5 locomotives were retired, while the twenty-one Class NG15 locomotives were all purchased by the SAR and relocated to the Langkloof line between Port Elizabeth and Avontuur. In the Langkloof the Class NG15 was nicknamed "Kalahari", inappropriately so since its previous stamping ground was across the Namib desertNamib Desert
The Namib Desert is a desert in Namibia and southwest Angola that forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, the largest game reserve in Africa. The name "Namib" is of Nama origin and means "vast place"...
, not in the Kalahari.
When it was first introduced on the Avontuur line, the Class NG15 was not allowed to work beyond Humansdorp
Humansdorp
Humansdorp is a small town and surrounding district in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, with a population of around 35,000 . It is part of the Kouga Local Municipality of the Cacadu District. The town is the centre of the district's light industry and farming...
from Port Elizabeth because of a lack of turning facilities in the Langkloof. This was rectified by the construction of a triangle at the end of the line at Avontuur, something that until then had not been required in the Langkloof since it had been the domain of bi-directional Garratt
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...
locomotives.
In the last years of steam traction on the Avontuur line the Class NG15 was unique in being the only non-Garratt steam locomotive working in the Langkloof. Outside the apple season the Class NG15 became well known for hauling the Apple Express from the Humewood Road railway station in Port Elizabeth to Loerie and back every Saturday to cater for tourists. It gained further fame when the Apple Express instituted an annual train race marathon where athletes could compete against an Apple Express filled with spectators.
The builders, works numbers and SAR renumberings of the Class NG15 locomotives are set out in the table below.
| Builder |
Works no. |
Year built |
Tsumeb no. |
SAR no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henschel | 21905 | 1931 | 17 | |
| Henschel | 21906 | 1931 | 18 | |
| Henschel | 21907 | 1931 | 19 | |
| Henschel | 24475 | 1938 | 117 | |
| Henschel | 24476 | 1938 | 118 | |
| Henschel | 24477 | 1938 | 119 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2667 | 1949 | 120 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2668 | 1949 | 121 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2669 | 1949 | 122 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2670 | 1949 | 123 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2671 | 1949 | 124 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2682 | 1952 | 132 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2683 | 1952 | 133 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2684 | 1952 | 134 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2685 | 1952 | 135 | |
| Franco-Belge | 2686 | 1952 | 136 | |
| Henschel | 29585 | 1957 | TC1 | 144 |
| Henschel | 29586 | 1957 | TC2 | 145 |
| Henschel | 29587 | 1957 | TC3 | 146 |
| Henschel | 29588 | 1957 | TC4 | 147 |
| Henschel | 29589 | 1957 | TC5 | 148 |
End of the line
During the 1970s steam traction in the Langkloof began to be replaced by diesel power with the introduction of the General ElectricGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
built Class 91-000 diesel-electric locomotive in 1973. Diesel and steam served the Langkloof together for some years, but by the mid 1980s road transport had triumphed over rail transport on the apple route as well, and the narrow gauge steam fleet was retired.
Current locomotive status
Since the preservation of heritage locomotives is always dependent on the attitude and disposition of the current incumbents of positions of authority, the current status as set out below should be considered as a snapshot of the situation at a point in time, in this case circa 2007.| Number |
Current location |
|---|---|
| 17 | In running order at Sandstone Estates Sandstone Estates Sandstone Estates are an extensive farming complex located in Free State, South Africa, close to Bloemfontein. Owned by entrepreneur Wilf Mole, they are also a global-scale hub of transport preservation.-Farm:... . |
| 18 | Hempstead & Northern RR, Texas, United States of America. Exported from South Africa to the USA in 1985. |
| 19 | At Sandstone Estates. |
| 118 | Bennett Brook Railway, Perth Perth, Western Australia Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000.... , Western Australia Western Australia Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east... . In service on the railway from 15 October 1994 through to 2003. Stored awaiting an overhaul. Exported from South Africa to Australia in 1985. |
| 120 | Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Purchased by a member of the WHR Ltd. It will be restored at a private site with the intention that it will run on Welsh Highland Railway Ltd. services in the future. |
| 121 | Phyllis Rampton Trust Phyllis Rampton Trust The Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust is a British charity which is registered with the British Charity Commission as 292240 under the classification of "Education/TrainingEnvironment/Conservation/Heritage"... , Surrey, United Kingdom. |
| 122 | At the museum in George, South Africa. |
| 123 | Bennett Brook Railway, Perth, Western Australia. Restored to traffic as from 10 May 2007. Exported from South Africa to Australia in 1985. |
| 133 | Owned by the Festiniog Railway Company Ffestiniog Railway The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park.... . Acquired for potential use on the Welsh Highland Railway Welsh Highland Railway The Welsh Highland Railway is a long restored narrow gauge heritage railway in North Wales, operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and passing through a number of popular tourist destinations including Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway... . Stored in the open at the Dinas station of the Welsh Highland Railway Welsh Highland Railway The Welsh Highland Railway is a long restored narrow gauge heritage railway in North Wales, operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and passing through a number of popular tourist destinations including Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway... (Caernarfon Caernarfon Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast... ). |
| 134 | Owned by the Festiniog Railway Company Ffestiniog Railway The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park.... . Acquired for use on the Welsh Highland Railway Welsh Highland Railway The Welsh Highland Railway is a long restored narrow gauge heritage railway in North Wales, operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and passing through a number of popular tourist destinations including Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway... . Restoration in progress towards returning the Loco to working order. Dismantled with the majority of components under cover at the Dinas station of the Welsh Highland Railway Welsh Highland Railway The Welsh Highland Railway is a long restored narrow gauge heritage railway in North Wales, operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and passing through a number of popular tourist destinations including Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway... (Caernarfon Caernarfon Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast... ). |
| 135 | Owned by the Exmoor Steam Railway. In storage. |
| 146 | Owned by the Brecon Mountain Railway Brecon Mountain Railway The Brecon Mountain Railway is a narrow gauge preserved railway that runs through the Brecon Beacons along the full length of the Pontsticill Reservoir... . In storage. |
| 147 | Plinthed at Avontuur station. |
Gallery
The main picture shows Franco-Belge built number 124, equipped with smoke deflectors, crossing the Van Stadens river with the Apple Express on 26 October 1985.See also
- South African Class Hd 2-8-2South African Class Hd 2-8-2In 1912 the German administration in Deutsch-Südwest-Afrika, now Namibia, acquired three Class Hd locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement to lease to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company for use on the line from Swakopmund to Karibib...
- South African Class NG5 2-8-2South African Class NG5 2-8-2In 1922 the South African Railways placed six narrow gauge steam locomotives with a 2-8-2 Mikado wheel arrangement in service on the Otavi branch in South West Africa...
- The 2-8-2 "Mikado"
- Avontuur Railway
- List of South African locomotive classes
- Two foot gauge railways in South AfricaTwo foot gauge railways in South AfricaAt the beginning of the twentieth century, two foot narrow gauge railway lines started playing a significant role in transporting various agricultural and mineral produce from locations hardly accessible by road...