South African Class 2 4-6-2
Encyclopedia
In 1905 the Natal Government Railways
placed two Class Hendrie A steam locomotives with a 4-6-2
Pacific wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered and classified as Class 2.
(NBL) for two 4-6-2 Pacific type locomotives for the Natal Government Railways (NGR). They were designed by NGR Locomotive Superintendent D.A. Hendrie for passenger traffic on those sections of the main line between Ladysmith and Charlestown that did not have very severe gradients. When they were delivered and placed in service early in 1905, they became the NGR Class Hendrie A, numbered 325 and 326.
and were built on plate frames. After these two engines, however, Hendrie adopted Walschaerts valve gear on all his future designs, for its greater accessibility.
To accommodate the wide and deep firebox, Hendrie made use of a bridle casting along the same lines as that introduced on the Cape Government Railways
(CGR) by H.M. Beatty in 1903, on what was later to become the Class 6Y. This method of widening the frames for the firebox continued long after Hendrie retired on pension in June 1922, and only the general adoption of bar frames for main line locomotives from 1927 onwards rendered it no longer necessary.
They were later transferred to the Witwatersrand for a short period, after which they worked on the Komatipoort
-Waterval Boven
section until they were withdrawn by 1936.
Natal government railways
The Natal Government Railways was formed in January 1877 in the Colony of Natal.In 1877 the Natal Government Railways acquired the Natal Railway Company for the sum of £40,000, gaining the line from the Point to Durban and from Durban to Umgeni...
placed two Class Hendrie A steam locomotives with a 4-6-2
4-6-2
4-6-2, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle .These locomotives are also known as Pacifics...
Pacific wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered and classified as Class 2.
Manufacturer
In 1904 orders were placed with the North British Locomotive CompanyNorth British Locomotive Company
The North British Locomotive Company was created in 1903 through the merger of three Glasgow locomotive manufacturing companies; Sharp Stewart and Company , Neilson, Reid and Company and Dübs and Company , creating the largest locomotive manufacturing company in Europe.Its main factories were...
(NBL) for two 4-6-2 Pacific type locomotives for the Natal Government Railways (NGR). They were designed by NGR Locomotive Superintendent D.A. Hendrie for passenger traffic on those sections of the main line between Ladysmith and Charlestown that did not have very severe gradients. When they were delivered and placed in service early in 1905, they became the NGR Class Hendrie A, numbered 325 and 326.
Characteristics
They used saturated steam, had Stephenson valve gearStephenson valve gear
The Stephenson valve gear or Stephenson link or shifting link is a simple design of valve gear that was widely used throughout the world for all kinds of steam engine. It is named after Robert Stephenson but was actually invented by his employees....
and were built on plate frames. After these two engines, however, Hendrie adopted Walschaerts valve gear on all his future designs, for its greater accessibility.
To accommodate the wide and deep firebox, Hendrie made use of a bridle casting along the same lines as that introduced on the Cape Government Railways
Cape Government Railways
The Cape Government Railways was the government-owned railway operator in the Cape Colony from 1874 until the creation of the South African Railways in 1910.-Private railways:...
(CGR) by H.M. Beatty in 1903, on what was later to become the Class 6Y. This method of widening the frames for the firebox continued long after Hendrie retired on pension in June 1922, and only the general adoption of bar frames for main line locomotives from 1927 onwards rendered it no longer necessary.
Service
The two locomotives ran their first trials in early 1905. They were placed in service between Ladysmith and Charlestown, as intended. In 1912, when these two "Pacifics" were taken onto the roster of the South African Railways (SAR), they were renumbered 762 and 763 and classified as Class 2.They were later transferred to the Witwatersrand for a short period, after which they worked on the Komatipoort
Komatipoort
Komatipoort is a town situated at the confluence of the Crocodile and Komati Rivers in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The town is 8km from the Crocodile Bridge Gate into the Kruger Park, and just 5km from the Mozambique border and 65km from the Swazi border. It is a small, quiet town with some...
-Waterval Boven
Waterval Boven
Waterval Boven is a small town situated on the edge of the Escarpment on the banks of the Elands River above the 75m Elands Falls on the railway line from Pretoria to Maputo in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Hence the name which means "above the waterfall" in Dutch...
section until they were withdrawn by 1936.
See also
- South African Class 2C 4-6-2South African Class 2C 4-6-2In 1910 the Natal Government Railways placed two Class Hendrie C steam locomotives with a 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were renumbered and classified as Class 2C...
- Tender locomotive numbering and classification
- The 4-6-2 "Pacific"
- List of South African locomotive classes