WAGR V class
{{Short description|Class of Australian 2-8-2 locomotives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox locomotive
|name = WAGR V class
|powertype = Steam
|image = WAGR V class locomotive V1213.JPG
|alt =
|caption = V1213 at Pemberton station in December 2011
|designer =
|builder = Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns as subcontractor to Beyer, Peacock & Co
|ordernumber =
|serialnumber = Beyer, Peacock & Co 7726–7749
|buildmodel =
|builddate = 1955
|totalproduction = 24
|rebuilder =
|rebuilddate =
|numberrebuilt =
|whytetype = 2-8-2
|uicclass = 1′D1′ h2
|gauge = {{track gauge|3ft6in|lk=on}}
|leadingdiameter = {{convert|21.5|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
|driverdiameter = {{convert|51|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
|trailingdiameter = {{convert|21.5|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
|minimumcurve =
|wheelbase = {{convert|32|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|length = {{convert|69|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|9|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|height = {{convert|12|ft|8|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|axleload = {{long ton|14|5}}
|weightondrivers = {{long ton|14|5}}
|locoweight = 80 long tons 14 cwt 2 q
|tenderweight =
|locotenderweight = 134 long tons 18 cwt 2 q
|tendertype =
|fueltype = Coal
|fuelcap = {{long ton|7|0}}
|watercap = {{convert|5390|impgal|L USgal|abbr=on}}
|tendercap =
|sandcap =
|boiler =
|boilerpressure = {{convert|215|lbf/in2|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
|feedwaterheater =
|firearea = {{convert|40|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|tubearea = {{convert|1570|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|fluearea =
|tubesandflues =
|fireboxarea = {{convert|247|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|totalsurface = {{convert|1817|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|superheatertype =
|superheaterarea = {{convert|492|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|cylindercount = Two
|cylindersize = {{convert|19|x|26|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|frontcylindersize=
|rearcylindersize =
|hpcylindersize =
|lpcylindersize =
|valvegear = Walschaerts
|valvetype =
|valvetravel =
|valvelap =
|valvelead =
|transmission =
|maxspeed =
|poweroutput =
|tractiveeffort = {{convert|33633|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}
|factorofadhesion = 3.8
|trainheating =
|locobrakes =
|locobrakeforce =
|trainbrakes =
|safety =
|operator = Western Australian Government Railways
|operatorclass =
|powerclass =
|numinclass =
|fleetnumbers = V1201–V1224
|officialname =
|nicknames =
|axleloadclass =
|locale =
|deliverydate = 1955–1956
|firstrundate = 12 April 1955
|lastrundate =
|retiredate =
|withdrawndate = 14 August 1972
|preservedunits = V1209, V1213, V1215, V1220
|restoredate =
|scrapdate =
|currentowner =
|disposition = 4 preserved, 20 scrapped}}
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.
Engineering background
File:WAGR_1220_(5359397445).jpg in April 2006]]
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.[http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/locos/pages/v_steam.htm V Class Steam Locomotive] Rail Heritage WA
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.
Operational history
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.{{sfn|Gunzburg|1984|p=140}}{{cite book|last=Turner|first=Jim|title=Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958|year=1997|publisher=Kangaroo Press|location=Kenthurst|isbn=086417778X|page=171}}{{cite book|last=Oberg|first=Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010|year=2010|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|location=Dural|isbn=9781921719011|page=281}} On 25 June 1972. V1220 hauled the final WAGR steam hauled service, the Farewell to Steam special from Brunswick Junction to Collie.{{cite book|last1=Whiteford|first1=David|last2=De Bruin|first2=Charles|last3=Watson|first3=Lindsay|last4=Watson|first4=Neville|title=Western Australian Preserved Locomotives|date=1983|publisher=Railmac Publications|location=Elizabeth|isbn=0-949817-19-8|page=17}}
Preservation
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,[http://www.pemtram.com.au/Steam%20Locomotive%20Driving%20Experience%20Course.htm Driver Experience Page] Pemberton Tramway Co in addition to hauling some timber on its railway. The haulage of timber ceased in 2005.[http://www.pemtram.com.au/v_1213.htm The Mighty V] Pemberton Tramway Company
Various records suggest that the V Class were considered for preservation by the South Australian Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society."The V Class" The Partyline issue 56 Winter 1994 (Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society) {{ISSN|1322-2473}}"The Steamtown Locomotives" ''Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Number 1, February 1979
Class list
The numbers and periods in service of each member of the V class were as follows:{{sfn|Gunzburg|1984|p=140}}
| cellpadding="2"
| {|class="wikitable sortable" !Builder's !Works !Road !In service !Withdrawn !Notes |
| align=center|7770
|align=center|7726 |align=center|1201 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|April|12}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7771
|align=center|7727 |align=center|1202 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|May|10}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7772
|align=center|7728 |align=center|1203 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|June|09}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Fitted with Nathan DV3 mechanical lubricator, March 1968 |
| align=center|7773
|align=center|7729 |align=center|1204 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|June|24}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Fitted with Nathan DV3 mechanical lubricator, May 1968 |
| align=center|7774
|align=center|7730 |align=center|1205 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|July|08}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7775
|align=center|7732 |align=center|1206 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|July|15}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Damaged in collision at Mundijong, 20 April 1969; repaired by 9 July 1969 |
| align=center|7776
|align=center|7733 |align=center|1207 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|July|27}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7777
|align=center|7734 |align=center|1208 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|October|10}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|August|14}} | |
| align=center|7778
|align=center|7735 |align=center|1209 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|October|04}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Preserved at Bellarine Railway, Victoria. Recommissioned 1991, named Spirit of Alcoa and used for occasional passenger services, currently stored[http://bellarinerailway.com.au/locomotives Steam Locomotives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525103042/http://bellarinerailway.com.au/locomotives |date=2017-05-25 }} Bellarine Peninsula Railway[http://www.australiansteam.com/V1209.htm V1209] Australian Steam |
| align=center|7779
|align=center|7731 |align=center|1210 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|October|19}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7780
|align=center|7736 |align=center|1211 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|November|02}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7781
|align=center|7737 |align=center|1212 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|December|01}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7782
|align=center|7738 |align=center|1213 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|December|20}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |To Hotham Valley Railway (HVR) 8 April 1981, sold to Willis Engineering. Recommissioned on a narrow gauge freight, 27 May 1992 and used for occasional passenger services for both Pemberton Tramway Company and HVR.[http://www.australiansteam.com/V1213.htm V1213] Australian Steam |
| align=center|7783
|align=center|7739 |align=center|1214 |{{dts|format=dmy|1955|December|23}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7784
|align=center|7740 |align=center|1215 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|February|13}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Preserved at Collie[http://www.australiansteam.com/V1215.htm V1215] Australian Steam |
| align=center|7785
|align=center|7741 |align=center|1216 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|February|20}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7786
|align=center|7742 |align=center|1217 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|June|14}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Standard Detroit lubricator fitted, early 1967 to 5 March 1968 |
| align=center|7787
|align=center|7743 |align=center|1218 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|March|28}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|August|14}} | |
| align=center|7788
|align=center|7744 |align=center|1219 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|April|13}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|August|14}} | |
| align=center|7789
|align=center|7745 |align=center|1220 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|June|25}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|August|14}} |Preserved at Western Australian Rail Transport Museum[http://www.australiansteam.com/V1220.htm V1220] Australian Steam |
| align=center|7790
|align=center|7746 |align=center|1221 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|July|13}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7791
|align=center|7747 |align=center|1222 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|August|02}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
| align=center|7792
|align=center|7748 |align=center|1223 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|October|05}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} |Standard Detroit lubricator fitted, 1967–1968 |
| align=center|7793
|align=center|7749 |align=center|1224 |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|November|16}} |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|June|17}} | |
|}
See also
{{Portal|Trains|Western Australia}}
References
=Notes=
{{Reflist|2}}
=Bibliography=
{{refbegin}}
- {{Durrant-AustralianSteam |pages=99, 101}}
- {{Gunzburg-WAGR Locomotives|pages=26–27, 47}}
- {{Gunzburg-History WAGR Steam}}
{{refend}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{WAGR Locomotives}}
Category:Beyer, Peacock locomotives
Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1955