WAGR B class

The WAGR B class was a class of 4-6-0T tank locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1882 and 1959.

Not to be confused with WAGR B class (diesel).

WAGR B class
B8 in original condition
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderKitson & Co
Dübs & Co
Serial number1st batch: 2591-2592
2nd batch: 2153, 2185, 2186
3rd batch: 3780-3785
Build date1884-86, 1898
Total produced11
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-0T
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap1st & 2nd batches: 600 imp gal (2,700 l; 720 US gal)
3rd batch: 1,000 imp gal (4,500 l; 1,200 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		1st & 2nd batches: 10.3 sq ft (0.96 m2)
3rd batch: 11.7 sq ft (1.09 m2)
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Performance figures
Tractive effort14,239 lbf (63.34 kN)
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
NumbersB8-B9, B12-B14, B180-B185
Dispositionall scrapped

History

The first two were ordered from Kitson & Co, Leeds in 1884 to work the steeply graded Eastern Railway from Guildford to Chidlow. A further three were built by Dübs & Co, Glasgow in 1885/86 and a further six by Kitson & Co in 1898. The last batch were built with larger water tanks, with the earlier five having larger tanks retrofitted. In 1903, they were displaced by the K class and relegated to shunting duties.[1][2]

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the B class were as follows:[3]

Builder's
number		 Builder Year built Road
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
2591 Kitson & Co 1884 8 1 June 1884 31 March 1924
2592 Kitson & Co 1884 9 10 May 1884 30 September 1940 Stowed 20 April 1931
2153 Dübs & Co 1885 12 10 January 1886 31 January 1924
2185 Dübs & Co 1886 13 12 June 1886 early 1897 Sold to WN Hedges early 1897
by June 1898 25 May 1959 Repurchased by WAGR by June 1898.
2186 Dübs & Co 1886 14 6 July 1886 13 January 1955
3780 Kitson & Co 1898 180 20 December 1898 5 May 1955
3781 Kitson & Co 1898 181 23 February 1899 17 April 1956
3782 Kitson & Co 1898 182 2 February 1899 8 October 1956
3783 Kitson & Co 1898 183 2 February 1899 13 January 1955
3784 Kitson & Co 1898 184 21 February 1899 13 January 1955
3785 Kitson & Co 1898 185 16 February 1899 17 January 1958

Namesake

The B class designation was reused in the 1960s when the B class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Notes
  1. Gunzburg 1984, p. 27–28
  2. Watson, Lindsay (1995). The Railway History of Midland Junction: Commemorating The Centenary Of Midland Junction, 1895-1995. L&S Drafting. p. 10. ISBN 0 646 24461 2.
  3. Gunzburg 1984, p. 28.

Cited works
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

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