CGR Type A 2-6-4T

The Cape Government Railways Type A 2-6-4T of 1902 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

CGR Type A 2-6-4T
South African NG 2-6-4T 1902
CGR Type A 2-6-4T no. 31, SAR no. NG25
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerManning Wardle & Company
BuilderManning Wardle & Company
Order number51200
Serial number1564 & 1565
Build dateEx works 3 September 1902
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-4T (Adriatic)
 • UIC1'C2'n2t
Driver2nd coupled axle
Gauge2 ft (610 mm) narrow
Leading dia.22 in (559 mm)
Coupled dia.33 in (838 mm)
Trailing dia.22 in (559 mm)
Wheelbase20 ft 9 in (6,325 mm)
 • Coupled6 ft (1,829 mm)
 • Trailing4 ft (1,219 mm)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers28 ft 11 in (8,814 mm)
Width7 ft 9 in (2,362 mm)
Height9 ft 11 in (3,023 mm)
Frame typePlate
Axle load8 LT 7 cwt (8,484 kg)
Loco weight34 LT 15 cwt (35,310 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2 LT (2.0 t)
Water cap1,000 imp gal (4,550 l)
Firebox typeRound-top
 • Firegrate area12 sq ft (1.1 m2)
Boiler:
​
 • Pitch4 ft 9 in (1,448 mm)
 • Diameter3 ft 5 in (1,041 mm)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,241 kPa)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size13 in (330 mm) bore
16 in (406 mm) stroke
Valve gearWalschaerts
Loco brakeSteam brakes
CouplersBell-and-hook
Performance figures
Tractive effort11,062 lbf (49.21 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsCape Government Railways
South African Railways
ClassType A
Number in class2
NumbersCGR 31-32, SAR NG25-NG26
Delivered1902
First run1902
Withdrawn1929

In 1902, the Cape Government Railways placed two Type A 2-6-4T Adriatic type narrow gauge steam locomotives in construction service on the Avontuur branch. In 1912, these locomotives were assimilated into the South African Railways and renumbered.[1][2][3][4]

Langkloof railway

In April 1902, authority was granted for the construction of the Langkloof 2 feet (610 millimetres) narrow gauge railway from Port Elizabeth via Humansdorp to Avontuur, a total distance of 177 miles (285 kilometres). It was to become one of the most important narrow gauge railways in South Africa and passed through districts which were famous for general agriculture and the export of wheat and fruit, especially apples. The line was laid with 35 pounds per yard (17 kilograms per metre) rail and was completed to Avontuur on 10 December 1906.[2]

Avontuur Railway

Coal consumption on the line averaged 54 pounds (24 kilograms) per train mile. A load from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur had to be hauled up 6,835 feet (2,083 metres) and, on the return journey, 3,963 feet (1,208 metres). This, in conjunction with the innumerable sharp curves and steep gradients of 1 in 40 (2½%) compensated, prevented a continuous high speed from being attained.[2]

Manufacturer
M&W works picture of no. 31

Two 2-6-4 Adriatic type narrow gauge tank steam locomotives were supplied to the Cape Government Railways (CGR) by Manning Wardle and Company in 1902. They were designated Type A and numbered 31 and 32.[1][2][5]

It is recorded that these locomotives, during tests, were able to haul a load of 150 long tons (152 tonnes) up a 1 in 40 (2½%) grade.[2]

Service

Cape Government Railways

Both locomotives were placed in construction service on the Avontuur narrow gauge railway and were also used as the first road power on the railway. At a width of 7 feet 9 inches (2,362 millimetres), they were extremely large and were the widest locomotives to see service on any of the 2 feet (610 millimetres) narrow gauge lines in South Africa.[1][6]

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][7]

The two locomotives were renumbered to NG25 and NG26 on the South African Railways (SAR), with the NG prefix identifying them as narrow gauge locomotives in the SAR registers. They remained in service on the Avontuur branch for the duration of their service lives, until they were withdrawn in 1929 without having been classified by the SAR.[1]

References
  1. Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 112, 156. ISBN 0869772112.
  2. 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, April 1944. pp. 253-257.
  3. Dulez, Jean A. (2012). Railways of Southern Africa 150 Years (Commemorating One Hundred and Fifty Years of Railways on the Sub-Continent – Complete Motive Power Classifications and Famous Trains – 1860–2011) (1st ed.). Garden View, Johannesburg, South Africa: Vidrail Productions. p. 232. ISBN 9 780620 512282.
  4. Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912, p. 47 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
  5. Harman, Fred W. The Locomotives built by Manning Wardle & Company. Volume 3 Broad Gauge & Works List (1st ed. (undated)). Century Locoprints, Bridlington, UK. p.77. ISBN 0 9535313 2 5.
  6. Soul of A Railway - System 3: Cape Midland, based in Port Elizabeth – Part 1: The Port Elizabeth Narrow Gauge – Introduction - Captions 3 & 4 (Accessed on 10 December 2016)
  7. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.
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