Tasmanian Government Railways R class

The Tasmanian Government Railways R class was a class of 4-6-2 steam locomotives operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways.

Tasmanian Government Railways R class
Tasmanian Government Railways R Class streamlined locomotive, departing Hobart circa 1940.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Perry Engineering Serial number 243-246 Build date 1923 Total produced 4
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Leading dia. 2 ft 4+1⁄2 in (724 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm) Trailing dia. 3 ft (914 mm) Wheelbase 27 ft 3 in (8,306 mm) engine, 9 ft 9 in (2,972 mm) coupled, 50 ft 10+1⁄4 in (15,500 mm) total Length 60 ft 2+1⁄4 in (18,345 mm) Height 12 ft 3+3⁄8 in (3,743 mm) Axle load 12+3⁄4 long tons (13.0 t; 14.3 short tons) Loco weight 58+3⁄4 long tons (59.7 t; 65.8 short tons) Tender weight 39 long tons (39.6 t; 43.7 short tons) Total weight 97+3⁄4 long tons (99.3 t; 109.5 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 6 long tons (6.1 t; 6.7 short tons) Water cap. 3,500 imp gal (16,000 L) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 32.5 sq ft (3.02 m2) Boiler pressure 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Heating surface: ​  • Firebox 134 sq ft (12.45 m2)  • Tubes and flues 1,420 sq ft (131.92 m2)  • Total surface 1,554 sq ft (144.37 m2) Superheater: ​  • Type Schmidt  • Heating area 320 sq ft (29.73 m2) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 20 in × 24 in (508 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Walschaert Valve type Piston 9 in (229 mm) diameter Loco brake Steam Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Tractive effort 23,738 lbf (105.59 kN) Factor of adh. 3.59
Career Operators Tasmanian Government Railways Number in class 4 Numbers R1-R4 Disposition all scrapped

History

In 1923, the Tasmanian Government Railways took delivery of four 4-6-2 locomotives from Perry Engineering, Gawler as replacements for the A class. They operated on the Western, Derwent Valley, Main and Fingal lines.^[1][2]

In the late 1930s, R3 and R4 were fitted with streamlining similar to the Victorian Railways S class for operation of Hobart to Launceston expresses. This was removed in the late 1940s. All were withdrawn in 1956-1957 due to a reorganisation of timetable to allow better use of the X Class diesels, much newer M class steam engines and DP 'diesel patrol' railcars.

After a period in storage in Launceston yard, due to their worn out condition and redundancy all was scrapped by the early 1960s, sadly just missing out on preservation.^[1][2]

References

1. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 180. ISBN 9781921719011.
2. "Steam Locomotives of the Tasmanian Government Railways and its Constituents" Australian Railway History issue 917 March 2014 page 12

External links

Tasmanian Government Railways Locomotive diagram L14 https://stors.tas.gov.au/P2316-1-23$init=P2316-1-23_033