South Australian Railways U class

The South Australian Railways U Class Locomotives were the first built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1876 for the South Australian Railways narrow-gauge lines.[1]

South Australian Railways U Class
South Australian Railways U Class Locomotive No. 2
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBeyer, Peacock and Company
Serial number1499-1506
Build date1876
Total produced8
Number rebuilt4
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte2-6-0
  UIC2'C 2
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Length34 ft 6 12 in (10.528 m)
Axle load5 long tons 3 cwt (11,500 lb or 5.2 t)
Total weight30 long tons 3 cwt (67,500 lb or 30.6 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2 long tons 6 cwt (5,200 lb or 2.3 t)
Water cap850 imp gal
(1,020 US gal; 3,900 L)
Firebox:
  Firegrate area
9.76 sq ft (0.907 m2)
Boiler pressure130 lb/sq in (896 kPa)
Heating surface:
  Tubes
492.1 sq ft (45.72 m2)
  Firebox45.4 sq ft (4.22 m2)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size12 in × 20 in (305 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort7,532 lbf (33.50 kN)
Career
OperatorsSouth Australian Railways
ClassU
Number in class8
Numbers1-8
First run4.1876
Withdrawn1904-1929
Scrapped1904-1955
Dispositionall scrapped

History

When horses proved unsatisfactory on the narrow gauge lines, particularly the Port Wakefield-Hoyleton and Port Pirie-Crystal Brook lines, it was decided to introduce steam traction, resulting in eight engines being imported from Beyer, Peacock and Company. These 2-6-0 type locomotives were the first to work on the South Australian Railways narrow gauge system, an extensive one in the early part of the twentieth century. On arrival from England the locomotives were assembled, with four allocated to Port Pirie and the remainder to Port Wakefield. In addition to their regular operations, several were used by contractors from time to time in the work of extending the narrow gauge further into the hinterland. As heavier locomotives became available to handle additional traffic, the U class engines were used for shunting duties in the areas they helped to develop. Some were later diverted to the Port Lincoln Division, where they served until withdrawal.[2]

References

  1. Drymalik, Chris. "Narrow Gauge U-class 2-6-0 locomotives". Chris's Commonwealth Railways Information (ComRails). Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  2. Fluck, R. E.; Sampson, R.; Bird, K. J. (1986). Steam locomotives and railcars of the South Australian Railways. South Australia: Mile End Railway Museum (S.A.) Inc. p. 112. ISBN 0959 5073 37.
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