South West African 0-10-0

The South West African 0-10-0 of 1911 was a steam locomotive from the German South West Africa era.

GSWA Ten-Coupled Tender 0-10-0
South West African 0-10-0
South West African 0-10-0 no. 103, c. 1911
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerHenschel & Son
BuilderHenschel & Son
Serial numberD10159-D10164
Build date1910
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-10-0 (Decapod)
 • UICEn2
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Coupled dia.48 in (1,219 mm)
Frame typePlate
Total weight74 LT (75,190 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Firebox typeRound-top
 • Firegrate area20.5 sq ft (1.90 m2)
Boiler:
​
 • Small tubes223: 1 13⁄16 in (46 mm)
Boiler pressure171 psi (1,179 kPa)
Heating surface1,206 sq ft (112.0 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size18 1⁄2 in (470 mm) bore
20 5⁄8 in (524 mm) stroke
Valve gearHeusinger
Valve typeMurdoch's D slide
CouplersBuffer-and-chains
Performance figures
Tractive effort16,220 lbf (72.2 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsLüderitzbucht Eisenbahn
Number in class6
NumbersLE 101-106
Delivered1911
First run1911

In 1911, the Lüderitzbucht Eisenbahn (Lüderitzbucht Railway) in German South West Africa placed six locomotives with a 0-10-0 Decapod type wheel arrangement in service. They were no longer in service when all railways in the territory came under the administration of the South African Railways in 1922.[1][2]

Manufacturer

Six locomotives with a 0-10-0 Decapod type wheel arrangement were built in 1910 by Henschel & Son of Kassel in Germany for a French Colony in Africa. The engines were rejected by French inspectors, however, and they were purchased by the German government for £2,000 each in 1911, on behalf of the Lüderitzbucht-Gesellschaft company who leased the Lüderitzbucht Eisenbahn and shared the profits with the government.[1][3]

Characteristics

The locomotive had flat "D" type sliding valves which were actuated by Heusinger valve gear, with Laird type crossheads with single slide bars. To protect the motion from wind-blown sand in the Namib Desert, it had plate shields arranged along the full length of the engine, hinged on the running board to allow access to the motion.[1][2]

The engine was built on a 3⁄4 inch (19 millimetres) thick plate frame, strengthened with 1 1⁄4 inches (32 millimetres) stretchers. It had coupled wheels of 48 inches (1,219 millimetres) diameter and cylinders of 18 1⁄2 inches (470 millimetres) bore and 20 5⁄8 inches (524 millimetres) stroke. The total weight of the engine and tender in full working order was 74 long tons (75,190 kilograms) and it had a tractive effort of 16,220 pounds-force (72.2 kilonewtons) at 75% of boiler pressure.[1][2]

To allow side-play in curves, the axle boxes of the leading and trailing coupled wheels had no inside flanges. Their wheel arrangement, without leading or trailing wheels to lend stability at speed, was more suitable for yard work at slow speeds than for mainline working. According to one report, their utilisation as mainline engines rapidly resulted in the development of excessive side-play to the extent that the tyres eventually cut into the spring hangers.[1]

Service

The locomotives were numbered in the range from 101 to 106 and were placed in service on the Südbahn line from Lüderitzbucht via Seeheim to Kalkfontein, where they formed the mainstay of motive power. Even though the engines were popular with the enginemen, they were not economical in operation. Owing to their light construction, they were allowed to take only three-quarters of their full load.[1]

None of these engines survived the First World War.[1][2]

References
  1. Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1948). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, January 1948. pp. 31-32.
  2. 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. 380. ISBN 9 780620 512282.
  3. Henschel-Lieferliste (Henschel & Son works list), compiled by Dietmar Stresow.
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