WAGR K class

The K-class was a class of 2-8-4T steam locomotives of the Western Australian Government Railways

Not to be confused with WAGR K class (1891) or WAGR K class (diesel).

WAGR K class
K class with a Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipe train, ca. 1902
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNeilson & Co
Serial number4599-4606, 5040-5045, 5197-5206
Total produced24
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-8-4T
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity2.75 long tons 0 cwt (6,200 lb or 2.8 t)
Water cap2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal)
Boiler pressureAs built: 120 lbf/in2 (0.83 MPa)
Reboilered: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox		16.7 sq ft (1.55 m2)
Cylinder size17 in × 21 in (432 mm × 533 mm)
Performance figures
Power outputAs built:15,332 lbf (68.20 kN)
Reboilered: 20,443 lbf (90.93 kN)
Factor of adh.3.8
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
NumbersK34-K41, K101-K106, K186-K195
First run1893
Dispositionall scrapped

History

Between October 1893 and August 1898, the WAGR took delivery of 24 K class locomotives from Neilson & Co. They entered service on the Eastern Railway between Midland Junction and Northam. In 1902, they were displaced from this work by the F class.[1] They then mainly operated freight services on the Collie line and within Perth, although they did operate Royal Perth Show and raceday special passenger services.[2]

In 1915, two were repowered with superheated boilers. A further three followed, but all were converted back by 1937. Further reboilerings increased power output by a quarter.[2]

Six examples originally intended for the WAGR were purchased by the British Government and sent to South Africa to ease a shortage being encountered by the Imperial Military Railways as a result of the Boer War where they became the C class.

Class lists

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the K class were as follows:[1]

First and second batches, built by Neilson & Co, 1893 and 1896:
Builder's
number		 Year built Road
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
4599 1893 34 24 October 1893 22 March 1961 Converted to Ks, 23 March 1929, and back to K, 1 April 1937
4601 1893 35 25 October 1893 12 April 1951
4600 1893 36 9 December 1893 25 October 1949
4602 1893 37 10 November 1893 6 September 1962
4603 1893 38 28 February 1894 1 June 1927
4604 1893 39 7 March 1894 29 May 1953 Converted to Ks, 12 February 1916, and back to K, 3 October 1925
4605 1893 40 30 March 1894 1 August 1963 Stowed at Fremantle, 2 August 1961
4606 1893 41 16 April 1894 1 June 1927
5040 1896 101 17 March 1897 24 August 1953 Converted to Ks, 20 November 1915, and back to K, 22 December 1928
5041 1896 102 20 March 1897 28 June 1955
5042 1896 103 23 March 1897 15 October 1962
5043 1896 104 30 March 1897 7 February 1928 Converted to Ks, 8 April 1916; scrapped as Ks
5044 1896 105 26 March 1897 23 November 1962
5045 1896 106 31 March 1897 29 November 1957
Third batch, built by Neilson, Reid & Co, 1898:
Builder's
number		 Year built Road
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
5197 1898 186 21 May 1898 30 July 1953
5198 1898 187 26 May 1898 1 June 1927
5199 1898 188 31 May 1898 1 June 1927
7 March 1928 15 May 1962 Returned to service after first withdrawal
5200 1898 189 5 June 1898 30 June 1926
5201 1898 190 10 June 1898 7 December 1964
5202 1898 191 4 August 1898 30 June 1926
5203 1898 192 4 August 1898 1 June 1927
5204 1898 193 12 August 1898 30 April 1954
5205 1898 194 4 August 1898 13 January 1955 Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 15 June 1929
5206 1898 195 23 July 1898 15 October 1962 Converted to Ks, 25 December 1915, and back to K, 25 June 1927

Namesakes

The K class designation was previously used by the K class that was reclassified as the L class. It was reused in the 1960s when the K class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

References

Notes
  1. Gunzburg 1984, p. 46.
  2. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 95/96. ISBN 9781921719011.

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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