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CLASS
NG/G11
2-6-0 + 0-6-2 |
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HISTORY. Ordered from Messrs. Beyer,
Peacock & Co., Ltd., during 1914 and delivered after the Great War in 1919
were three 2’ gauge NG/G11 articulated Garratt steam locomotives, numbered 51,
52 and 53 respectively. They were erected at the
Uitenhage workshops and, after trials in May 1920 on the Avontuur line, two were
placed in service on the Stuartstown ( Ixopo) branch line in Natal. Sir William Hoy, General
Manager, South African Railways & Harbours, in his report for 1921-22,
recorded : “ The narrow gauge Garratt engines, placed in service on the
Stuartstown branch, are most economical and have reduced train mileage and
trainsmen’s hours. Their introduction has also effected a saving of one engine
and train crew.” A further order was placed
for two similar locomotives, No’s 54 and 55, which were supplied by Messrs.
Beyer, Peacock & Co. These engines were fitted with superheater boilers and
piston valves. They were erected in the
Durban workshops during April, 1925. The total weight of the engine in full
working order was 48 tons 4 ¾ cwts.” The locomotives were used
mostly in Natal on the various branch lines. NG/G 55 remained plinthed at
Weenen, after the Estcourt to Weenen line’s closure, and is at present at the
local recreation club grounds. It is intended that this
locomotive will be restored to working order at Umgeni Steam Railway’s Masons
Mill locomotive depot. It will thereafter be placed
in service on the preserved Ixopo to Madonela branchline being operated by
Paton’s Country Narrow Gauge Railway. BACKGROUND INFORMATION. “ In cases where
locomotives of exceptional tractive force are required and particularly where
the track, bridges and curvatures do not allow development of existing designs
due to axle-load limitations, the number of
coupled wheels required demands articulated types. The Garratt locomotive has
two sets of frames and wheel arrangements with one boiler. In this way the
number of coupled wheels can be doubled and correspondingly high tractive effort
developed. The boiler is carried in a
cradle suspended on pivot centers attached to the frames each of which is free
to align itself to track curvature. The use of these locomotives
enables the capacity of a line to be approximately doubled without strengthening
the track, bridges and culverts, or improving the curvature. The Garratt runs equally well in either direction.”
Cylinder Bore x Stroke.
10 ¾ “ x 16” Driving Wheel Diameter.
2’ 6” Boiler Pressure lb/sq.
in.
180 Tubes, 1 ¾ in. diam.
(*)
211 Boiler internal diameter. (*)
4’ 2” Tractive Effort. (75%) B.P. 15876 Engine Weight (Working Order) 48t 4c Total Length over Couplers.
45’ 5” Grate Area sq. ft.
19.5 Max. Axle Load.
6t 11c Front Tank Capacity.
(*)
970 gallons. Hind Tank Capacity.
(*)
380 gallons.
2 ½ tons of coal. (*) Data relates to 51, 52 & 53. REFERENCES. The
Locomotive in South Africa
T. J. Espitalier & W. A. J. Day. Locomotives
of the South African Railways.
Leith Paxton & David Bourne. Railways
of Southern Africa. Locomotive
Guide 1993 Edition.
J. N. Middleton.
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