South African Class NG2 0-4-2T
Encyclopedia
Between 1897 and 1901 Arthur Koppel, acting as agents, imported a number of Dickson built 0-4-2ST narrow gauge saddle tank steam locomotives to mines on the Witwatersrand. In 1915, when an urgent need arose for additional locomotives in German South West Africa during World War I
, two of the 0-4-2ST locomotives were purchased second-hand by the South African Railways for use in that territory. They were later classified as Class NG2.
of Scranton in Pennsylvania shortly before it merged with seven other manufacturing firms to form the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1901, were delivered to various gold mines on the Witwatersrand by Arthur Koppel, acting as importing agents.
) during World War I, an urgent need arose for additional locomotives for use on the narrow gauge lines in that territory. The South African Railways (SAR) therefore bought two of these Dickson built 0-4-2ST locomotives second-hand, numbered them NG93 and NG94 and placed them in service in DSWA.
The identity of these locomotives is difficult to prove, but the SAR diagram book for the Class NG2 gives dimensions that limit the possibilities to only three of the known Koppel imports. Two of these, Dickson works numbers 978 of 1897 and 1019 of 1898, had been delivered to the Lancaster Gold Mine in Roodepoort. That mine closed in June 1913, the company being wound up in early 1915. It therefore seems a good possibility that it were these two locomotives that the SAR bought for service in DSWA.
A third locomotive with the same dimensions for which no ownership history is known was Dickson works number 1102 of 1899. It is possible, but unproven, that this locomotive also went to Lancaster Gold Mine since it was of identical dimensions as the other two.
. Although they were eventually classified as two foot narrow gauge
locomotives along with the rest of the South African 2 feet (609.6 mm) gauge locomotive fleet, they were actually constructed to a 600 millimetres (23.62 in) gauge.
, built to Imperial standards, were 610 millimetres (24 in) gauge.
In practice, however, the two gauges are still being treated as one and the same by the British Military. The same applied in South Africa, being part of the British Empire at the time. The 10 millimetre (0.393700787401575 in) difference was considered as insignificant and narrow gauge locomotives regularly migrated between the lines laid to German standards in South West Africa (SWA) and those laid to Imperial standards in South Africa.
, and in the process they lost their saddle tanks. Since this modification effectively converted them to tankless tank locomotives, they were equipped with timber bodied two axle tenders to carry their water and additional coal.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, two of the 0-4-2ST locomotives were purchased second-hand by the South African Railways for use in that territory. They were later classified as Class NG2.
Manufacturers
Between 1897 and 1901 several 0-4-2ST narrow gauge saddle tank steam locomotives, built by Dickson Manufacturing CompanyDickson Manufacturing Company
Dickson Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of boilers and steam engines used in various industries but most known in railway steam locomotives...
of Scranton in Pennsylvania shortly before it merged with seven other manufacturing firms to form the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1901, were delivered to various gold mines on the Witwatersrand by Arthur Koppel, acting as importing agents.
South African Railways purchase
In 1915, while the military campaign was being waged against German forces 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...
) during World War I, an urgent need arose for additional locomotives for use on the narrow gauge lines in that territory. The South African Railways (SAR) therefore bought two of these Dickson built 0-4-2ST locomotives second-hand, numbered them NG93 and NG94 and placed them in service in DSWA.
The identity of these locomotives is difficult to prove, but the SAR diagram book for the Class NG2 gives dimensions that limit the possibilities to only three of the known Koppel imports. Two of these, Dickson works numbers 978 of 1897 and 1019 of 1898, had been delivered to the Lancaster Gold Mine in Roodepoort. That mine closed in June 1913, the company being wound up in early 1915. It therefore seems a good possibility that it were these two locomotives that the SAR bought for service in DSWA.
A third locomotive with the same dimensions for which no ownership history is known was Dickson works number 1102 of 1899. It is possible, but unproven, that this locomotive also went to Lancaster Gold Mine since it was of identical dimensions as the other two.
Locomotive characteristics
The locomotives had bar frames and used 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....
. Although they were eventually classified as two foot narrow gauge
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 along with the rest of the South African 2 feet (609.6 mm) gauge locomotive fleet, they were actually constructed to a 600 millimetres (23.62 in) gauge.
600 and 610 millimetre gauges
Historically, the actual two feet narrow gauge rail spacing depended on whether or not the track was laid by a metricised country. German built narrow gauge lines in DSWA were therefore 600 millimetres (23.62 in) gauge, while those in South AfricaTwo foot gauge railways in South Africa
At 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...
, built to Imperial standards, were 610 millimetres (24 in) gauge.
In practice, however, the two gauges are still being treated as one and the same by the British Military. The same applied in South Africa, being part of the British Empire at the time. The 10 millimetre (0.393700787401575 in) difference was considered as insignificant and narrow gauge locomotives regularly migrated between the lines laid to German standards in South West Africa (SWA) and those laid to Imperial standards in South Africa.
Service
The two locomotives remained in SWA after the war. In 1920 they were both reboilered by the SAR, using boilers supplied 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....
, and in the process they lost their saddle tanks. Since this modification effectively converted them to tankless tank locomotives, they were equipped with timber bodied two axle tenders to carry their water and additional coal.
Classification
A system of grouping narrow gauge locomotives into classes was only introduced on the SAR somewhere between 1928 and 1930. At that point, the two locomotives were classified as Class NG2.Disposal
The Class NG2 locomotives spent their last working years on the SAR working at the Usakos workshops in SWA, until they were withdrawn from service in 1936. NG94 was sold to Igusi Timbers in Rhodesia and remained in service there until circa 1961. NG93 was sold to the Zebediela citrus estates in northern Transvaal in 1937, where it was finally withdrawn from service by 1943.Gallery
The main picture shows the Class NG2 as built with a saddle tank.See also
- The 0-4-2T wheel arrangement
- Narrow Gauge locomotive numbering and classification
- 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...