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South African Class GC 2-6-2+2-6-2

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South African Class GC 2-6-2+2-6-2
Class GC no. 2182, c. 1924
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerBeyer, Peacock and Company
BuilderBeyer, Peacock and Company
Serial number6187-6192
ModelClass GC
Build date1924
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-2+2-6-2 (Double Prairie)
 • UIC1'C1'+1'C1'h4
Driver3rd & 4th coupled axles
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Leading dia.28+1⁄2 in (724 mm)
Coupled dia.42+3⁄4 in (1,086 mm)
Trailing dia.28+1⁄2 in (724 mm)
Wheelbase56 ft 8 in (17,272 mm) ​
 • Engine17 ft 8+1⁄4 in (5,391 mm) each
 • Coupled8 ft (2,438 mm) each
Pivot centres29 ft 8 in (9,042 mm)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers63 ft 3+3⁄4 in (19,298 mm)
Height12 ft 3 in (3,734 mm)
Frame typePlate
Axle load11 LT 16 cwt (11,990 kg) ​
 • Leading8 LT 13 cwt (8,789 kg) front
8 LT 9 cwt (8,586 kg) rear
 • 1st coupled10 LT 16 cwt (10,970 kg)
 • 2nd coupled10 LT 14 cwt (10,870 kg)
 • 3rd coupled10 LT 14 cwt (10,870 kg)
 • 4th coupled11 LT 15 cwt (11,940 kg)
 • 5th coupled11 LT 16 cwt (11,990 kg)
 • 6th coupled10 LT 11 cwt (10,720 kg)
 • Trailing6 LT 8 cwt (6,503 kg) front
7 LT 2 cwt (7,214 kg) rear
Adhesive weight66 LT 6 cwt (67,360 kg)
Loco weight96 LT 18 cwt (98,450 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity7 LT (7.1 t)
Water cap.2,000 imp gal (9,090 L) front
1,000 imp gal (4,550 L) rear
Firebox:​
 • TypeBelpaire
 • Grate area34 sq ft (3.2 m2)
Boiler:
​
 • Pitch7 ft 4+3⁄8 in (2,245 mm)
 • Diameter5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm)
 • Tube plates11 ft 3+5⁄8 in (3,445 mm)
 • Small tubes149: 2 in (51 mm)
 • Large tubes24: 5+1⁄2 in (140 mm)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,241 kPa)
Safety valveRamsbottom
Heating surface:​
 • Firebox156.8 sq ft (14.57 m2)
 • Tubes1,266.2 sq ft (117.63 m2)
 • Total surface1,423 sq ft (132.2 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area247 sq ft (22.9 m2)
CylindersFour
Cylinder size14 in (356 mm) bore
23 in (584 mm) stroke
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve typePiston
CouplersJohnston link-and-pin
AAR knuckle (1930s)
Performance figures
Tractive effort28,470 lbf (126.6 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsSouth African Railways
ClassClass GC
Number in class6
Numbers2180-2185
Delivered1924-1925
First run1924
Withdrawn1962

The South African Railways Class GC 2-6-2+2-6-2 of 1924 was an articulated steam locomotive.

In 1924 and 1925, the South African Railways placed six Class GC Garratt articulated steam locomotives with a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type wheel arrangement in branch line service.[1][2][3]

Manufacturer

Following the good performance of the Class GB branch line Garratts, the first locomotive to be built to the specifications of Colonel F.R. Collins DSO after he was appointed as the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the South African Railways in 1922 was a heavier 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type Garratt, also intended for branch line work. It was designed and built to his specifications by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1924.[1][2][3][4]

Characteristics

Six locomotives were delivered in 1924 and were erected in the Durban shops of the SAR. They were placed in service in 1924 and 1925, designated Class GC and numbered in the range from 2180 to 2185. The locomotives were superheated, with Belpaire fireboxes, plate frames, Walschaerts valve gear and piston valves.[1][2][3][5][6]

Like its predecessor Class GB, the heavier Class GC was also a branch line locomotive and its maximum axle load of 11 long tons 16 hundredweight (11,990 kilograms) made it suitable for light rail. It was a more powerful development of the Class GB and was very similar to the Class GK Garratts which had been acquired by the New Cape Central Railway (NCCR) in 1923, but 2 long tons (2,032 kilograms) heavier and with 1 inch (25 millimetres) smaller diameter cylinders with a 1 inch (25 millimetres) longer stroke.[3]

Service

The locomotives were initially placed in service on the Natal South Coast line. Although they later also worked on other branch lines, they spent their entire working lives in Natal until they were withdrawn from service in 1962.[1][3]

Illustration

  • Class GC in Durban station on the Port Shepstone train, with Station Inspector James Grossert on the platform at right, c. 1924
    Class GC in Durban station on the Port Shepstone train, with Station Inspector James Grossert on the platform at right, c. 1924

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to South African Class GC 2-6-2+2-6-2.
  1. ^ a b c d Holland, D. F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-7153-5427-8.
  2. ^ a b c Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1945). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, November 1945. p. 867.
  3. ^ a b c d e Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 89. ISBN 0869772112.
  4. ^ Hamilton, Gavin N., The Garratt Locomotive - Garratt Locomotives produced by Beyer, Peacock, retrieved 10 November 2012
  5. ^ South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. p. 43.
  6. ^ South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte, Steam Locomotives/Stoomlokomotiewe. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. pp. 6a-7a, 41, 43.
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