TR RV class

The TR RV class, later known as the EAR 21 class, was a class of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) gauge steam locomotives designed and built for the Tanganyika Railway (TR) as a 4-8-2 development of the 2-8-2 TR MK class. The eight members of the RV class were built by Vulcan Foundry, in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire (now part of Merseyside), England.

Tanganyika Railway RV class East African Railways 21 class
Vulcan Foundry works photo of TR 252
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry Serial number 4318–4320, 4352–4353, 4426, 4447–4448 Build date 1928–1930 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-2  • UIC 2′D1' h2 Gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) Driver dia. 43 in (1,092 mm) Adhesive weight 39.8 long tons (40.4 t) Loco weight 59.8 long tons (60.8 t) Fuel type Oil Fuel capacity 1,300 imp gal (5,900 l; 1,600 US gal) Water cap 3,500 imp gal (16,000 l; 4,200 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 27 sq ft (2.51 m2) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1.10 MPa) (165 psi (1.14 MPa)) Heating surface 1,742 sq ft (161.8 m2)  • Tubes   1,306 sq ft (121.3 m2)  • Firebox 139 sq ft (12.9 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 297 sq ft (27.6 m2) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 23 in (457 mm × 584 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 24,300 lbf (108.09 kN)
Career Operators Tanganyika Railway (TR) → East African Railways (EAR) Class TR: RV class EAR: 21 class Number in class 8 Numbers TR: 250–257/500–507 EAR: 2101–2108 Delivered 1928–1930
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The "RV" class designation was short for "River", as each RV class locomotive was named after a river in the Tanganyika Territory. The class entered service on the TR between 1928 and 1930, and its members were later operated by the TR's successor, the East African Railways (EAR).[2]