Indian locomotive class XC

The Indian locomotive class XC was a class of heavy axle load 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives used on broad gauge lines in British India, and then in post-partition India and Pakistan.[1][4]

Indian XC
Vulcan Foundry works photograph of an XC
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder
Build date1928–1931
Total produced72
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2′C1′h2
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Driver dia.6 ft 2 in (1.880 m)
Axle load19.5 long tons (19.8 t; 21.8 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size23 in × 28 in (584 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Career
Operators
Number in class
  • IR: 50
  • NWR (Pak): 22
[1][2][3]

The 72 members of the class were built in the United Kingdom between 1928 and 1931, some of them by William Beardmore & Co in Glasgow, Scotland, and the rest by Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England.[5][6]

Upon partition of India in 1947, a total of 22 members of the class went to Pakistan.[7] The other 50 remained in India.[2]

Preservation

None of the XC's have survived preservation but while Colin Garratt visited the railways once, he recalls one was attempted to be hidden from scrappers torch but plans to save the last XC came to a naught when it was soon found and cut up, however it is unknown if any railway enthusiasts will ever build a replica of one, note to fact that India is poor and doesn't or can't afford money to make new builds, or should enthusiasts look to England to build one, but however this has never been started,

See also

References
  1. Hughes 1976, p. 15.
  2. Hughes 1990, p. 14.
  3. Hughes 1996, pp. 24, 87.
  4. Marshall 2009, pp. 36, 40, 47–48, 51–54.
  5. Hughes 1990, pp. 14, 27, 46, 59, 80.
  6. Hughes 1996, p. 24.
  7. Hughes 1996, p. 87.

Bibliography
  • Hughes, Hugh (1976). Steam in India. Truro, Cornwall: D. Bradford Barton Ltd. ISBN 0851532586.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1990). Indian Locomotives: Part 1 – Broad Gauge 1851–1940. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9503469-8-5.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
  • Marshall, Lawrence G (2009). Indian Broad Gauge Steam Remembered. East Harling, Norfolk: Taverner Publications. ISBN 9781901470154.
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