Silverton Tramway A class

Silverton Tramway A class
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock & Co Build date 1912, 1915 Total produced 4
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) Total weight 59 long tons 2 cwt (132,400 lb or 60 t) Fuel type Coal Tender cap. 3 long tons 0 cwt (6,700 lb or 3 t) Boiler pressure 185 lbf/in2 (1.28 MPa) Cylinder size Original: 16.5 in × 20 in (419 mm × 508 mm) Rebuilt: 16.5 in × 22 in (419 mm × 559 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort Original: 15,801 lbf (70.29 kN) Rebuilt: 17,381 lbf (77.31 kN) Factor of adh. 3.52
Career Operators Silverton Tramway Company Numbers A18-A21 Preserved A21 Disposition 1 preserved, 3 scrapped

The Silverton Tramway A class was a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives operated by the Silverton Tramway Company.

History

The Silverton Tramway Company took delivery of two 4-6-0 locomotives in 1912 from Beyer, Peacock & Co, Manchester followed by another two in 1915.

They were built with small tenders so as to keep them within the limits imposed by the fifty foot turntables and operated both passenger and freight services on the Silverton Tramway. Between 1924 and 1926 all were fitted with superheaters.

After the arrival of the W class in 1951, they were relegated to trip working between the various mines in Broken Hill. During World War II and again in the 1950s, they were leased to the South Australian Railways for shunting duties at Peterborough. The last was withdrawn in January 1961.

A21 has been preserved at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide.

Class list

Number Builder's number Year built Notes A18 5528 1912 scrapped July 1963 A19 5590 1912 scrapped 1953 A20 5912 1915 scrapped July 1963 A21 5913 1915 preserved at the Mile End Railway Museum October 1965, now on display at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide