South African Class NG G16 2-6-2+2-6-2
No. NG113 at Sandstone Estates, 9 April 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The South African Railways Class NG G16 2-6-2+2-6-2 of 1937 was a narrow gauge steam locomotive.
Between 1937 and 1968, the South African Railways placed 34 Class NG G16 Garratt articulated steam locomotives with a 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type wheel arrangement in service on the Avontuur Railway and on the Natal narrow gauge lines.[1][2]
Manufacturers
The success of the Class NG G13 narrow gauge Garratts, which were introduced by the South African Railways (SAR) in 1927, led to a decision that any additional narrow gauge articulated locomotives would be of the same design. Altogether 34 more 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type narrow gauge locomotives were built, spread over five orders from three manufacturers over a span of 31 years.[2][3][4][5]
Cockerill
In 1937, Société Anonyme John Cockerill of Seraing in Belgium delivered four new 2-6-2+2-6-2 locomotives, numbered in the range from NG85 to NG88, which were so similar to the older locomotives that they were initially designated Class NG G13 as well. However, in view of the fact that all the carrying wheels were fitted with roller bearing axle boxes and arranged as pony trucks, compared to the Class NG G13 of which the inner carrying wheels were built to the Gölsdorf system which allowed the axle some lateral movement, it was soon decided to reclassify them to Class NG G16.[2][4]
These pre-war locomotives, like the earlier Class NG G13 locomotives, were built with riveted coal and water bunkers and with large radius tops on the water tanks.[1]
Beyer, Peacock
The second order of eight locomotives was delivered from Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1939. They were numbered in the range from NG109 to NG116.[1][2][3]
The third order was for a further seven locomotives in 1951, numbered in the range from NG125 to NG131, once again from Beyer, Peacock. These and the subsequent locomotives had welded water and coal bunkers and flat-topped water tanks with rounded top side edges.[1][2][3]
The fourth batch of seven locomotives, numbered in the range from NG137 to NG143, were the last steam locomotives to be built by Beyer, Peacock and were ordered and built to the specifications of the Tsumeb Copper Corporation in South West Africa (SWA). They were mechanically similar to the earlier and subsequent Class NG G16 locomotives, but with a revised coal and water carrying arrangement. These locomotives had an enlarged front water tank capacity, but carried no water in their rear bunkers, which consequently had a larger coal capacity. It was planned to use them as tank-and-tender Garratts, semi-permanently attached to a water tender, for use across the Namib desert in SWA, as was the practice with the Cape gauge Classes GM, GMA and GO tank-and-tender Garratts in South Africa.[2][3]
However, while the locomotives were being built, the decision was made to convert all the SWA narrow gauge lines to Cape gauge. In terms of a prior agreement between the SAR and the Tsumeb Copper Corporation, the SAR would purchase any narrow gauge locomotives which would become redundant, should the re-gauging of the SWA system take place. The new locomotives were therefore delivered directly to the SAR in 1958.[2]
With the shorter distances between watering points in South Africa, a water tender was never required on the Avontuur and Natal narrow gauge lines where they were placed in service.[2]
Hunslet-Taylor
The final order for eight locomotives in 1967, numbered in the range from NG149 to NG156, turned out to be the last new steam locomotives to be ordered by the SAR. Beyer-Peacock had stopped building steam locomotives with the last batch of NG/G16 in 1958 and by 1968 they were in the process of closing the business for altogether. Since no other overseas manufacturers were available to supply them, they were built by Hunslet-Taylor in Germiston, Transvaal, using boilers supplied by their overseas principals, the Hunslet Engine Company in England. Built between 1967 and 1968, these locomotives had the same enlarged capacity front water tanks as those of the Tsumeb group, but their rear bunkers were identical to those of the 1951 batch of locomotives and carried both coal and water.[2][4]
Service
The Cockerill locomotives, numbers NG85 to NG88, remained in Natal for most of their service lives.[1][2]
The Beyer, Peacock locomotives ordered by the SAR, numbers NG109 to NG116 and NG125 to NG131, were shared more or less equally between the Natal and Avontuur lines.[1][2]
The seven Beyer, Peacock locomotives ordered by the Tsumeb Copper Corporation, numbers NG137 to NG143, were initially distributed between the Umzinto, Port Shepstone and Avontuur lines, but the three which went to the Langkloof were soon transferred to Natal as well.[1][2]
The Hunslet-Taylor locomotives, numbers NG149 to NG156, were placed in service on the Harding and Donnybrook branches in Natal in 1968.[1][2]
When the lower section of the Avontuur line was dieselised upon the arrival of the Class 91-000 diesel-electric locomotives in 1973, all the Class NG G16 locomotives which were still in service, were transferred to various branches in Natal, where they remained until they were withdrawn from service. The Class 91-000 diesel-electrics and the remaining Class NG15 Kalaharis served the Langkloof together for some years, but by the mid-1980s road transport had triumphed over rail transport on the apple route as well and the SAR narrow gauge steam fleet was retired.[2]
Class NG G16A
When the four Natal narrow gauge systems were closed down by the SAR, the Weenen and Mid-Illovo lines were lifted, but the Harding line was privatised as the Alfred County Railway (ACR), operating out of Port Shepstone.[1]
As part of their strategy to keep the railway competitive, two of the ACR's Class NG G16 locomotives were rebuilt, using technology similar to that used in the Class 26 Red Devil. The rebuilding incorporated a gas producing combustion system (GPCS), Lempor exhausts, an improved spark arrester, lightweight multi-ring articulated piston valves, improved valve events and improved mechanical lubrication. The two locomotives which received this treatment, no. NG141 in 1989 and no. NG155 in 1990, were reclassified to Class NG G16A.[6][7]
In comparative testing, no. NG141 achieved a fuel saving of 25%, compared to a standard Class NG G16 Garratt, a performance which was easily maintained in regular service. The cost of the work paid off financially within twelve months and led to a proposal to develop a Class NG G17, but that never materialised since the line's farming produce traffic was gradually lost to road transport on the improving road network.[6][7][8]
Preservation
Since withdrawal from SAR service, some locomotives were sold into private hands and kept in operational condition, while others ended up in various degrees of preservation, ranging across the spectrum from running order to staging to total abandonment. By 2012, at least three establishments still operated or were restoring ex-SAR class NG G16 Garratts.[8]
Welsh Highland Railway
The Welsh Highland Railway in the United Kingdom owns four Class NG G16 locomotives. One, no. NG140, is undergoing restoration to operating condition while three locomotives, Cockerill-built no. NG87 and Beyer, Peacock-built numbers NG138 and NG143, are kept in excellent condition by an establishment which exhibits great pride in its heritage.[8] In addition, two other Class NG G16s, numbers NG109 and NG130, are based on the line but not owned by the railway. No. NG130 is undergoing a fast track restoration sponsored by its private owner with a ten-year operating agreement with the WHR in place from 2017. NG109 is stored as a kit of parts.
Sandstone Estates
The Sandstone Estates near Ficksburg in the Free State is home to a large number of Class NG G16 locomotives, either as the owners or as the custodian for locomotives belonging to individuals or other establishments. Three of their Class NG G16 locomotives are kept in pristine condition and are regularly run during the Estate's annual events like the Cosmos Festival, Cherry Festival, Stars and others. These are Cockerill-built no. NG88, Beyer, Peacock-built no. NG113 and Hunslet-Taylor-built no. NG153.[8]
Puffing Billy Railway
The Puffing Billy Railway (PBR), located in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne, Australia, began restoring Class NG G16 no. NG129 and regauging it to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) as a backup for their Victorian Railways G class Garratt no. G42 at a time of increasing passenger loadings. Completion of no. NG129's restoration is planned to coincide with the next time that no. G42 is to be withdrawn for major maintenance. Faced with the need to manufacture a number of missing parts for no. NG129, the PBR has also purchased no. NG127 and a container of spare parts from a private owner in South Africa. This gives them many of the much needed missing parts and a second almost-complete Class NG G16 which will also be totally rebuilt in the future.[9]
Distribution
The last known fate of all the Class NG G16 locomotives, as of September 2016, are shown in the table.[8]
No. |
Builder | Country | Location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NG85 | Cockerill | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Purchased from the liquidator of the Alfred County Railway, unrestored.[10] | |
NG86 | Cockerill | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Purchased from the liquidator of the Alfred County Railway, unrestored.[10] | |
NG87 | Cockerill | Wales | Welsh Highland Railway | Purchased from the Exmoor Steam Railway, currently in service on WHR. | |
NG88 | Cockerill | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Operational. | |
NG109 | Beyer, Peacock | Wales | Welsh Highland Railway | Purchased by Waterman Heritage Railway Trust in 2009 for future use on the WHR.[11] After failure of UK Government to back his apprenticeship programme, the fast track overhaul of 109 was stopped. All parts were moved to Dinas where they remain in open storage with no current plans to complete the overhaul. | |
NG110 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Unrestored.[10] | |
NG111 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Gold Reef City, Johannesburg | On Display | |
NG112 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Century City, Cape Town | On loan from Sandstone Estates.[10] | |
NG113 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Operational.[12] | |
NG114 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Ownership transferred from the THF to Paddock Motors PTY LTD by court order for non payment of storage fees on 10 November 2015 | |
NG115 | Beyer, Peacock | England | Exmoor Steam Railway[13] | In Storage - Locomotive is for sale. | |
NG116 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paton's Country Railway, Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal | Owned by a consortium of five people. Overhauled using some parts off 156, now steamable but not fully operational (September 2016). | |
NG125 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Ownership transferred from the THF to Paddock Motors PTY LTD by court order for non payment of storage fees on 10 November 2015 | |
NG126 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Ownership transferred from the THF to Paddock Motors PTY LTD by court order for non payment of storage fees on 10 November 2015 | |
NG127 | Beyer, Peacock | Australia | Puffing Billy Railway | Unrestored. Sold to the Puffing Billy Railway in 2012.[9] | |
NG128 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Unrestored.[10] | |
NG129 | Beyer, Peacock | Australia | Puffing Billy Railway | Total rebuild, including a new all-welded steel boiler together with conversion to 2'6" gauge proceeding. | |
NG130 | Beyer, Peacock | Wales | For Welsh Highland Railway | Purchased from the Exmoor Steam Railway by Steam Powered Services (Peter Best) for restoration. Now at the WHR Dinas works where it is being restored to operate on the railway. | |
NG131 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Avontuur Railway Apple Express | Stored in the former Humewood Road (Port Elizabeth) Narrow Gauge diesel depot. Awaiting mechanical and boiler assessment. | |
NG137 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Purchased from the liquidator of the Alfred County Railway, unrestored.[10] | |
NG138 | Beyer, Peacock | Wales | Welsh Highland Railway | Operational on the Welsh Highland Railway. | |
NG139 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Owned by Peter Newton, Under restoration at Paddock | |
NG140 | Beyer, Peacock | Wales | Welsh Highland Railway | Previously used for spares to support continuing operation of 138 and 143 on the WHR, now being overhauled for future use on the WHR.[10] | |
NG141 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Rebuilt to Class NG G16A, undergoing cosmetic restoration for private owner.[7] | |
NG142 | Beyer, Peacock | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Ownership transferred from Peter Newton to Paddock Motors PTY LTD by court order for non payment of storage fees on 10 November 2015 | |
NG143 | Beyer, Peacock | Wales | Welsh Highland Railway | Operational after overhaul 2015 . The last Garratt built by Beyer, Peacock. | |
NG149 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Ownership transferred from Peter Newton to Paddock Motors PTY LTD by court order for non payment of storage fees on 10 November 2015 | |
NG150 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Purchased from the liquidator of the Alfred County Railway, unrestored.[10] | |
NG151 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Paddock, KwaZulu-Natal | Unrestored. Owned by Peter Newton. | |
NG152 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Purchased from the liquidator of the Alfred County Railway, unrestored.[10] | |
NG153 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Operational.[12] | |
NG154 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Humewood Station, Port Elizabeth | Dismantled by Transnet Heritage Foundation, scrapped in August 2011.[10] | |
NG155 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Sandstone Estates | Rebuilt to Class NG G16A, unrestored.[10] | |
NG156 | Hunslet-Taylor | South Africa | Paton's Country Railway, Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal | Ownership not known (in dispute). Moved from Paddock to Ixopo and dismantled by December 2015. Some parts used to make 116 whole. | |
Works numbers
Their engine numbers, builders, years built and works numbers are listed in the table.[3][4]
Loco no. |
Builder |
Year built |
Works no. |
---|---|---|---|
NG85 | Cockerill | 1937 | 3265 |
NG86 | Cockerill | 1937 | 3266 |
NG87 | Cockerill | 1937 | 3267 |
NG88 | Cockerill | 1937 | 3268 |
NG109 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6919 |
NG110 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6920 |
NG111 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6921 |
NG112 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6922 |
NG113 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6923 |
NG114 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6924 |
NG115 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6925 |
NG116 | Beyer, Peacock | 1939 | 6926 |
NG125 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7426 |
NG126 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7427 |
NG127 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7428 |
NG128 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7429 |
NG129 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7430 |
NG130 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7431 |
NG131 | Beyer, Peacock | 1951 | 7432 |
NG137 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7862 |
NG138 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7863 |
NG139 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7864 |
NG140 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7865 |
NG141 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7866 |
NG142 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7867 |
NG143 | Beyer, Peacock | 1958 | 7868 |
NG149 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3894 |
NG150 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3895 |
NG151 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3896 |
NG152 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3897 |
NG153 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3898 |
NG154 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3899 |
NG155 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3900 |
NG156 | Hunslet-Taylor | 1967-68 | 3901 |
Illustration
The main picture and the following photographs offer views of the various models of the Class NG G16 locomotive.
- Cockerill-built no. NG87, Beddgelert on the WHR, 31 August 2009
- Cockerill-built no. NG87, Caernarfon on the WHR, 10 April 2010
- Beyer, Peacock-built no. NG138, Pont Croesor on the WHR, 29 April 2011
- Beyer, Peacock-built no. NG143, Rhyd Ddu on the WHR, 31 August 2004
- Hunslet-Taylor-built no. NG151 on the Banana Express, 16 June 2005
- Hunslet-Taylor-built no. NG153, Sandstone Estates, 9 April 2006
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Durrant, A E (1989). Twilight of South African Steam (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, London: David & Charles. pp. 126–127. ISBN 0715386387.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 10–11, 107, 109–110. ISBN 0869772112.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Hamilton, Gavin N., The Garratt Locomotive - Garratt Locomotives produced by Beyer, Peacock, retrieved 10 November 2012
- 1 2 3 4 Hamilton, Gavin N., The Garratt Locomotive - Garratt Locomotives from Other Builders, retrieved 10 November 2012
- ↑ South African Railways and Harbours Locomotive Diagram Book, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge Steam Locomotives, 15 August 1941, as amended
- 1 2 "The Ultimate Steam Page – P. Girdlestone". trainweb.org. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- 1 2 3 "Alfred County Railway 2-6-2+2-6-2 NG G16A Garratts 141 & 155". martynbane.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Middleton, John N. (2002). Railways of Southern Africa Locomotive Guide - 2002 (as amended by Combined Amendment List 4, January 2009) (2nd, Dec 2002 ed.). Herts, England: Beyer-Garratt Publications. pp. 32–33.
- 1 2 "Puffing Billy Monthly News, February 2012". Bill Russell. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Payling, D (2012). Garratts & Kalaharis of the West Highland Railway (1st ed.). Porthmadog, Wales: The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. pp. 129–130. ISBN 978 0 901848 10 9.
- ↑ Welsh Highland Railway news
- 1 2 Stars of Sandstone, Official Operating Programme for 12th - 21st April 2014 (stars 2014 - official operating programme-7.pdf)
- ↑ Exmoor Steam Railway and its history
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