Class of Australian 2-8-2 locomotives From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The WAGR V class was the last class of steam locomotive to enter service with the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR). The class was part of the post war regeneration plan for the WAGR, intended for the heavy coal traffic between the Collie coal fields and Perth.
Twenty-four locomotives were ordered in 1951 from Beyer, Peacock and Company, Manchester. Capacity issues saw construction of the locomotives subcontracted to Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn's Darlington works although still issued with Beyer Peacock builders numbers. The locomotives entered service between April 1955 and November 1956.[1]
The locomotive was of a modern design with a high superheat, a large combustion chamber and a thermic syphon in the firebox. Roller bearings were used on all the locomotive and tender wheels. When introduced the V class was the largest rigid wheelbase locomotive on the WAGR system, exceeded only by the Australian Standard Garratt.
The class was designed to have as many parts as possible interchangeable with the W class.
The rated load capacity was 1,320 tons between Brunswick Junction and Armadale, compared to 1,135 tons for the S class and 850 tons for the Fs class. By all accounts the V class were a reliable and free-steaming locomotive. The V class locomotives entered service in 1955 and initially worked heavy coal trains from the Collie area. Later they were used on equally heavy freight trains, particularly over the Great Southern line from York to Albany. Most were condemned in June 1971, with the remainder following in August 1972.[1][2][3][4] On 25 June 1972. V1220 hauled the final WAGR steam hauled service, the Farewell to Steam special from Brunswick Junction to Collie.[5]
Four of the class have survived. Three are owned by preservation societies, whilst the fourth, V1213, is owned by the private rail operator Pemberton Tramway Company who provided Driver Experience courses,[6] in addition to hauling some timber on its railway. The haulage of timber ceased in 2005.[4][7]
Fitted with Nathan DV3 mechanical lubricator, May 1968
7774
7730
1205
8 July 1955
17 June 1971
7775
7732
1206
15 July 1955
17 June 1971
Damaged in collision at Mundijong, 20 April 1969; repaired by 9 July 1969
7776
7733
1207
27 July 1955
17 June 1971
7777
7734
1208
10 October 1955
14 August 1972
7778
7735
1209
4 October 1955
17 June 1971
Preserved at Bellarine Railway, Victoria. Recommissioned 1991, named Spirit of Alcoa[8] and used for occasional passenger services, currently stored[10][11]
Durrant, A E (1978). Australian Steam. Newton Abbot, Devon, UK; North Pomfret, Vt, USA: David & Charles. pp.99, 101. ISBN0715376055.
Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp.26–27, 47. OCLC219836193.
Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN0959969039.
Media related to WAGR V class at Wikimedia Commons
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