South African type GT tender

South African type GT tender
Type GT tender, 13 June 2009
Type and origin
LocomotiveClass S
DesignerSouth African Railways
(Col F.R. Collins DSO)
BuilderHenschel and Son
In service1929
Specifications
Configuration2-axle bogies
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Length30 ft 1+3⁄4 in (9,188 mm)
Wheel dia.34 in (864 mm)
Wheelbase20 ft 5 in (6,223 mm)
 • Bogie6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm)
Axle load15 LT 19 cwt 2 qtr (16,230 kg)
 • Front bogie29 LT 4 cwt (29,670 kg)
 • Rear bogie31 LT 19 cwt (32,460 kg)
Weight empty58,720 lb (26,630 kg)
Weight w/o61 LT 3 cwt (62,130 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel cap.8 LT (8.1 t)
Water cap.6,000 imp gal (27,300 L)
StokingManual
CouplersDrawbar & AAR knuckle
Career
OperatorsSouth African Railways
NumbersSAR 360-373
Main article: South African steam locomotive tenders

The South African type GT tender was a steam locomotive tender.

Type GT tenders entered service in 1929, as tenders to the Class S 0-8-0 shunting steam locomotives which were placed in service by the South African Railways in that year.[1][2][3]

Manufacturer

Type GT tenders were built in 1928 by Henschel and Son of Kassel in Germany.[1]

The South African Railways (SAR) placed fourteen Class S shunting locomotives in service in 1929. The engines and tenders were built to the design of Col F.R. Collins DSO, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the SAR. They were initially placed in service in Natal and the Orange Free State, but were soon transferred to several centres around Transvaal. The Type GT entered service as tenders to these locomotives.[1][2][3][4]

Characteristics

The tender had a coal capacity of 8 long tons (8.1 tonnes), a water capacity of 6,000 imperial gallons (27,300 litres) and a maximum axle load of 15 long tons 19 hundredweight 2 quarters (16,230 kilograms). To improve the crew's rearward vision, the top sides of the tender's coal bunker were set inwards and the top of the water tank was rounded. An unusual characteristic for a tender was a frame which extended behind the water tank to form a platform, equipped with handrails for use by shunting crew.[1][4][5]

Locomotive

Only the Class S locomotives were delivered new with Type GT tenders, which were numbered in the range from 360 to 373 for their engines. An oval number plate, bearing the engine number and tender type, was attached to the rear end of the tender.[1][3]

Classification letters

Since many tender types are interchangeable between different locomotive classes and types, a tender classification system was adopted by the SAR. The first letter of the tender type indicates the classes of engines to which it can be coupled. The "G_" tenders could only be used with the Class S locomotives with which they were delivered.[3]

The second letter indicates the tender's water capacity. The "_T" tenders had a capacity of between 5,587 and 6,000 imperial gallons (25,400 and 27,300 litres; 6,710 and 7,210 US gallons).[3]

Illustration

  • No. 362 at Kimberley, August 1973
    No. 362 at Kimberley, August 1973
  • No. 365 at Millsite, Krugersdorp, 8 April 1966
    No. 365 at Millsite, Krugersdorp, 8 April 1966

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Holland, D. F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. pp. 63–65. ISBN 978-0-7153-5427-8.
  2. ^ a b South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. p. 46.
  3. ^ a b c d e South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte, Steam Locomotives/Stoomlokomotiewe. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. pp. 6a-7a, 37, 46.
  4. ^ a b Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1946). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, Jun 1946. p. 455.
  5. ^ Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 80. ISBN 0869772112.