South African Class 3A 4-8-2
Encyclopedia
Early in 1910 the Natal Government Railways
placed a single Class American D 4-8-2
locomotive in service. In 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and classified as Class 3A.
(NGR) Locomotive Superintendent D.A. Hendrie in 1909 to study Mallet type locomotives and also American locomotive design in general, the American Locomotive Company
(ALCO) supplied the NGR with two experimental locomotives. These represented a radical departure from previous NGR locomotive designs.
One of these was the first Mallet type in South Africa, later to become the Class MA
on the South African Railways (SAR). The other was a 4-8-2 Mountain type locomotive, placed in service early in 1910, of very similar general proportions to the Class Hendrie D
. Officially known as the Class American D, it was nicknamed "Maude Allen" by the enginemen.
It was the first superheated locomotive to be acquired by the NGR. The superheater was of the Cole type, having two headers on either side of the smokebox. Experience with the Class American D proved that, when compared with the saturated steam Class Hendrie D, it was more economical in fuel and water consumption.
However, the factor of adhesion was found to be on the low side for the service for which it was required and the locomotive was prone to slipping when the rails were wet, which often happened in Natal when the weather was misty.
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 a single Class American D 4-8-2
4-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
locomotive in service. In 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and classified as Class 3A.
Manufacturer
As a result of a visit to the United States of America by Natal Government RailwaysNatal 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...
(NGR) Locomotive Superintendent D.A. Hendrie in 1909 to study Mallet type locomotives and also American locomotive design in general, the American Locomotive Company
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
(ALCO) supplied the NGR with two experimental locomotives. These represented a radical departure from previous NGR locomotive designs.
One of these was the first Mallet type in South Africa, later to become the Class MA
South African Class MA 2-6-6-0
In 1909 the Natal Government Railways placed a single 2-6-6-0 Mallet articulated compound steam locomotive in service. In 1912, when it was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and classified as Class MA.-Manufacturer:...
on the South African Railways (SAR). The other was a 4-8-2 Mountain type locomotive, placed in service early in 1910, of very similar general proportions to the Class Hendrie D
South African Class 3 4-8-2
In 1909 the Natal Government Railways placed its first true Mountain type locomotive in service when five Class Hendrie D 4-8-2 tender locomotives were commissioned. Twenty-five more were placed in service in 1911. In 1912, when they were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were...
. Officially known as the Class American D, it was nicknamed "Maude Allen" by the enginemen.
Characteristics
Like the Class Hendrie D, the locomotive also used Walschaerts valve gear, but had a bar frame, larger 24 inches (609.6 mm) diameter pistons, lower 160 pound per square inches (1,103.2 kPa) boiler pressure, superheating, an American type cab and some other features typical of American design.It was the first superheated locomotive to be acquired by the NGR. The superheater was of the Cole type, having two headers on either side of the smokebox. Experience with the Class American D proved that, when compared with the saturated steam Class Hendrie D, it was more economical in fuel and water consumption.
However, the factor of adhesion was found to be on the low side for the service for which it was required and the locomotive was prone to slipping when the rails were wet, which often happened in Natal when the weather was misty.
Service
The locomotive joined the Hendrie D locomotives working between Estcourt and Charlestown on the Transvaal border. In 1912, when it was taken onto the SAR roster, it was renumbered 1476 and classified as the sole Class 3A. It was withdrawn from service in 1935.See also
- South African Class 3 4-8-2South African Class 3 4-8-2In 1909 the Natal Government Railways placed its first true Mountain type locomotive in service when five Class Hendrie D 4-8-2 tender locomotives were commissioned. Twenty-five more were placed in service in 1911. In 1912, when they were assimilated into the South African Railways, they were...
- South African Class 3B 4-8-2South African Class 3B 4-8-2In 1912 the South African Railways took delivery of ten Class 3B steam locomotives with a 4-8-2 Mountain wheel arrangement that had been ordered by the Natal Government Railways the year before.-Manufacturer:...
- Tender locomotive numbering and classification
- The 4-8-2 "Mountain"
- List of South African locomotive classes