WAGR G class

Not to be confused with MRWA G class.

WAGR G class
G233 Leschenault Lady at the Railway Museum, Bassendean
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerBeyer, Peacock & Co
Dübs & Co.
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Co
James Martin & Co
Neilson & Co
Dübs & Co.
Total produced72
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-6-0 (48) and 4-6-0 (24)
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
(note the below figures varied within the class)
Driver dia.3 ft 3 in (991 mm)
Length2-6-0: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
4-6-0: 40 ft 6 in (12.34 m)
Width6 ft 11.8 in (2.13 m)
Height11 ft 5.8 in (3.50 m)
Total weight2-6-0: 42 long tons 2 cwt (94,300 lb or 42.8 t)
4-6-0: 43 long tons 0 cwt (96,300 lb or 43.7 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap.1,600 imp gal (7,300 L; 1,900 US gal)
Boiler pressure2-6-0: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
4-6-0: 135 lbf/in2 (0.93 MPa)
Cylinder size14.5 in × 20 in (368 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort2-6-0: 13,801 lbf (61.39 kN)
4-6-0: 11,321 lbf (50.36 kN)
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
First run1889
Retired1972
PreservedG53, G117, G118, G123, G233
Disposition5 preserved, 67 scrapped

The WAGR G class is a class of steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from 1889. The class's wheel arrangement varied; 48 were 2-6-0s and 24 were 4-6-0s.[1]

History

A total of 72 G class engines were acquired by the WAGR between 1889 and 1899, both new and second-hand. They were the first class of locomotives to be introduced to the WAGR network in quantity. They were part of what became almost an Australian 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) standard, as locomotives of similar design served in large numbers as the Silverton Tramway Y class, South Australian Railways Y class and Tasmanian Government Railways C class, and also on the Chillagoe Railway & Mining Co in Queensland, the Emu Bay Railway in Tasmania and the North Australia Railway in the Northern Territory.[1][2]

They were originally designed by Beyer, Peacock & Co who built nine, with James Martin & Co building 29, Neilson & Co 12 and Dubs and Co 22.[3][2]

During World War II, 13 were sold to the Commonwealth Railways for use on the North Australia Railway which became their NGA and NFC classes.[4][5] Three were also sold to the Chillagoe Railway & Mining Co in 1907, while others were sold for further use by timber mill operators in Western Australia, such as Millars, Bunnings Bros, Kauri Timber Co., Goldfields Firewood Supply and the State Saw Mills. The class remained in service in significant numbers until the 1960s.[3][6] Millars No. 71 "Menzies" (ex-WAGR G 111) was the last G Class withdrawn in 1972, having the mantle of the last steam locomotive in revenue service in Western Australia.

Survivors

Several have been preserved:[6]

G 118 in Kalamunda

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b Gunzburg 1984, p. 29.
  2. ^ a b Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 66–71. ISBN 9781921719011.
  3. ^ a b Gunzburg 1984, pp. 30–34.
  4. ^ Narrow Gauge NFA & NFC Chris' Commonwealth Railways Information
  5. ^ Clark, Peter (2012). The Australian Locomotive Guide. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 9781922013682.
  6. ^ a b Whiteford, David; De Bruin, Charles; Watson, Lindsay; Watson, Neville (1983). Western Australian Preserved Locomotives. Elizabeth: Railmac Publications. p. 16. ISBN 0-949817-19-8.
  7. ^ G53 Australian Steam
  8. ^ G117 Australian Steam
  9. ^ Merredin Railway Museum Australia's Golden Outback
  10. ^ G118 Australian Steam
  11. ^ G123 Hotham Valley Railway

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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