CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 1903

The Cape Government Railways 3rd Class 4-4-0 of 1903 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

This article is about one of several different Cape Government Railways locomotive types to be designated "3rd Class". For the others, see Cape Government Railways 3rd Class locomotives.

CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 1903
South African Class 03 4-4-0 1903
CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 of 1903 Wynberg Tender
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCape Government Railways
(H.M. Beatty)
BuilderSharp, Stewart and Company
Serial number4969-4976
Build date1903
Total produced8
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0 (American)
 • UIC2'Bn2
Driver1st coupled axle
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Leading dia.28 1⁄2 in (724 mm)
Coupled dia.60 in (1,524 mm)
Tender wheels37 in (940 mm)
Wheelbase41 ft 5 3⁄4 in (12,643 mm)
 • Engine20 ft 1⁄2 in (6,109 mm)
 • Leading5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
 • Coupled7 ft 6 in (2,286 mm)
 • Tender10 ft (3,048 mm)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers50 ft 2 1⁄2 in (15,304 mm)
Height12 ft 10 in (3,912 mm)
Axle load14 LT 15 cwt (14,990 kg)
 • Leading12 LT 9 cwt (12,650 kg)
 • 1st coupled14 LT 8 cwt (14,630 kg)
 • 2nd coupled14 LT 15 cwt (14,990 kg)
 • Tender axleAxle 1: 10 LT 10 cwt (10,670 kg)
Axle 2: 10 LT 6 cwt (10,470 kg)
Axle 3: 11 LT 1 cwt (11,230 kg)
Adhesive weight29 LT 3 cwt (29,620 kg)
Loco weight41 LT 12 cwt (42,270 kg)
Tender weight31 LT 7 cwt (31,850 kg)
Total weight72 LT 19 cwt (74,120 kg)
Tender type3-axle
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity5 LT (5.1 t)
Water cap2,470 imp gal (11,200 l)
Firebox typeRound-top
 • Firegrate area18 sq ft (1.7 m2)
Boiler:
​
 • Pitch7 ft (2,134 mm)
 • Diameter4 ft 4 in (1,321 mm)
 • Tube plates10 ft 3⁄8 in (3,058 mm)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,241 kPa)
Safety valveRamsbottom
Heating surface1,019 sq ft (94.7 m2)
 • Tubes910 sq ft (85 m2)
 • Firebox109 sq ft (10.1 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size17 1⁄2 in (444 mm) bore
24 in (610 mm) stroke
Valve gearStephenson
CouplersJohnston link-and-pin
Performance figures
Tractive effort16,540 lbf (73.6 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsCape Government Railways
South African Railways
ClassCGR 3rd Class, SAR Class 03
Number in class8
Numbers1, 21, 29-30, 45, 48-49, 56
NicknamesWynberg Tender
Delivered1903
First run1903
Withdrawnc. 1932

In 1903, the Cape Government Railways placed the last eight 3rd Class Wynberg Tender locomotives with a 4-4-0 American type wheel arrangement in suburban service in Cape Town. While they appeared to be virtually identical to the locomotives of 1901 at first glance, they were heavier and more powerful.[1][2][3]

Manufacturer
H.M. Beatty

The last eight 3rd Class Wynberg Tender passenger locomotives for suburban service in Cape Town were introduced on the Cape Government Railways (CGR) in 1903. Like the Wynberg Tenders of 1901, they were built by Sharp, Stewart and Company. It would appear that their numbering was used as an opportunity to perform some gap-filling on the CGR engine number roster.[1][2]

These locomotives were very similar in design and appearance to the six CGR 3rd Class 4-4-0 engines of 1901, but Cape Government Railways Chief Locomotive Superintendent H.M. Beatty had revisited his earlier designs which resulted in a larger and more powerful locomotive. The main differences were:

  • The wheelbase of the coupled wheels, the engine itself and the engine-and-tender were longer and, as a result, the overall length was longer.
  • The engine and tender were both heavier, with a heavier axle load.
  • The tender had a larger water capacity.
  • The boiler pitch was raised.
  • The maximum boiler pressure was raised from 165 to 180 pounds per square inch (1,138 to 1,241 kilopascals).
  • The grate area and the tube and firebox heating areas were larger.
  • The cylinder bore was increased and, as a result, the tractive effort was increased from 14,310 to 16,540 pounds-force (63.7 to 73.6 kilonewtons) at 75% boiler pressure.[1]

Service

Cape Government Railways

These locomotives were also known as Wynberg Tenders. They were fast and reliable and performed well on the Simon's Town line. Some were later transferred to Port Elizabeth, where they were employed on the inter-urban passenger trains to Uitenhage.[1][3]

South African Railways

When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, Natal Government Railways and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.[4][5]

In 1912, even though they were less than ten years old, these locomotives were also considered obsolete by the South African Railways (SAR), designated Class 03 and renumbered by having the numeral "0" prefixed to their existing numbers. In SAR service, they continued to work suburban trains in Cape Town. Some were later transferred to Germiston, where they were adapted to work the push-pull railmotor trains which ran between Germiston and Wattles until that line was electrified.[1]

Despite being considered obsolete, all eight engines survived until c. 1918. Two were withdrawn from service between 1918 and 1931, while the rest survived in service until after 1931.[2][5]

Works numbers

The works numbers, original numbers and renumbering of the Cape 3rd Class of 1903 are shown in the table.[1][5]

Illustration
  • 3rd Class Wynberg Tender leaving Cape Town Station, c. 1907
  • No. 49 on a motor train between Germiston and Wattles, c. 1930

References
  1. Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. 1: 1859–1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, Devon: David & Charles. pp. 59–61. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
  2. Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 18. ISBN 0869772112.
  3. Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II - The Cape Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, January 1944. pp. 9-12.
  4. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.
  5. Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912, p. 26. (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
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