CGR 1st Class 4-4-0

{{Short description|South African locomotive}} {{About|one of several different Cape Government Railways locomotive types to be designated "1st Class"|the others|Cape Government Railways 1st Class locomotives}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use South African English|date=October 2013}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = CGR 1st Class 4-4-0 South African Class 01 4-4-0 | image = Cape 1st Class (4-4-0) 1879.jpg | alt = | caption = Works picture of CGR 1st Class 4-4-0, c. 1879 | powertype = Steam | designer = [[Avonside Engine Company]] | builder = Avonside Engine Company [[Neilson and Company]] | ordernumber = | serialnumber = Avonside 1215-1216, 1235-1236 Neilson 2547-2552, 2557-2560, 2582 | buildmodel = | builddate = 1879-1880 | totalproduction = 15 | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | whytetype = [[4-4-0]] (American) | uicclass = 2′Bn2 | driver = 1st coupled axle | gauge = {{Track gauge|Cape|allk=on}} | leadingdiameter = {{convert|27|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | coupleddiameter = {{convert|48|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | trailingdiameter = | tenderdiameter = {{convert|36|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = {{convert|33|ft|4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | engine total = {{convert|17|ft|4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | leading = {{convert|4|ft|8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | coupled = {{convert|6|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | trailing = | tender total = {{convert|8|ft|mm|0|abbr=on}} | tenderbogie = | wheelspacing = | length = | over couplers = {{convert|41|ft|4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | over bufferbeams = | pivotcentres = | width = | height = {{convert|12|ft|mm|0|abbr=on}} | frametype = | axleload = {{convert|8|lt|1|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | leadingbogie/pony= {{convert|7|lt|3|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled 1 = {{convert|7|lt|19|lcwt|1|qtr|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled 2 = {{convert|8|lt|1|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled 3 = | coupled 4 = | coupled 5 = | coupled 6 = | coupled 7 = | coupled 8 = | trail bogie/pony = | tenderbogieload = | weightondrivers = {{convert|16|lt|0|lcwt|1|qtr|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | locoweight = {{convert|23|lt|3|lcwt|1|qtr|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | tenderweight = {{convert|16|lt|19|lcwt|1|qtr|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | locotenderweight = {{convert|40|lt|2|lcwt|2|qtr|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | tendertype = 3-axle | fueltype = Coal | fuelcap = {{convert|2|lt|10|lcwt|t|1|abbr=on}} | watercap = {{convert|1700|impgal|L|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} | tendercap = | sandcap = | boiler = | pitch = {{convert|5|ft|9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | boilertype = | diameterinside = | lengthinside = {{convert|9|ft|5+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | smalltubediameter= '''120:''' {{convert|1+3/4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | largetubediameter= | fireboxtype = Round-top | boilerpressure = {{convert|130|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}} | safetyvalvetype = [[Safety valve#Salter spring balance valves|Salter]] | feedwaterheater = | firearea = {{convert|10|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | totalsurface = {{convert|565|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | tubearea = {{convert|513|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | fluearea = | tubesandflues = | fireboxarea = {{convert|52|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | superheatertype = | superheaterarea = | cylindercount = Two | cylindersize = {{convert|14|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} bore {{convert|18|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} stroke | frontcylindersize= | rearcylindersize = | hpcylindersize = | lpcylindersize = | valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]] | valvetype = [[Slide valve|Slide]] | valvetravel = | valvelap = | valvelead = | transmission = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | trainbrakes = | safety = | coupling = [[Railway coupling#Johnston coupler|Johnston link-and-pin]] | maxspeed = | poweroutput = | tractiveeffort = {{convert|7166|lbf|kN|0|abbr=on}} @ 75% | factorofadhesion = | locobrakeforce = | operator = [[Cape Government Railways]] South African Railways | operatorclass = CGR 1st Class, SAR Class 01 | powerclass = | numinclass = 15 | fleetnumbers = E8-E14, W25-W26, W33-W38 | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = | deliverydate = 1879 | firstrundate = 1879 | lastrundate = | withdrawndate = | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = | notes = }}

The '''Cape Government Railways 1st Class 4-4-0''' of 1879 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-[[Union of South Africa|Union]] era in the [[Cape Colony|Cape of Good Hope]].

In 1878, the Cape Government Railways placed orders with the Avonside Engine Company for four more 1st Class tender locomotives with a 4-4-0 American type wheel arrangement. They were intended for fast passenger service on the Western and Eastern Systems and were delivered in 1879. In 1880, eleven more of these locomotives followed from Neilson and Company.<ref name="Holland 1">{{Holland-Vol 1|pages=30-31}}</ref><ref name="Littley 2">''C.G.R. Numbering Revised'', Article by Dave Littley, SA Rail May–June 1993, pp. 94-95.</ref>

==Traffic growth== By 1878, increased traffic on the Western System of the [[Cape Government Railways]] (CGR) had given rise to a requirement for higher train speeds, which subjected most of the existing mainline locomotives with their small {{convert|39|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} diameter coupled wheels to rapid wear and resulted in the need for frequent heavy repairs. To meet the rising traffic requirements, orders were placed with [[Avonside Engine Company]] for more locomotives with larger diameter coupled wheels, in addition to the existing fleet of [[CGR 1st Class 4-4-0T 1875|1st Class 4-4-0 tank-and-optional-tender locomotives of 1875]].<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943">Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1943). ''The Locomotive in South Africa – A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II – The Cape Government Railways'' (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, September 1943. pp. 658-659.</ref>

==Manufacturers== In 1879, four 4-4-0 American type tender passenger locomotives were delivered to the CGR from [[Avonside Engine Company]] for fast passenger service out of [[Cape Town]] and [[East London, South Africa|East London]] respectively. They were equipped with {{convert|48|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} coupled wheels and six-wheeled tenders, numbered W25 and W26 for the Western System and E8 and E9 for the Eastern System. Their slide valves were actuated by [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson Link]] motion, while their boiler barrels were constructed in three sections, arranged telescopically.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="Littley 2"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943"/><ref name="Dulez 150">{{Dulez 150|pages=37–38}}</ref>

[[File:Cape 1st Class (4-4-0) 1879 no. 35.jpg|thumb|left|1st Class 4-4-0 no. W35]] In 1880, they were followed by another eleven locomotives. These were built by [[Neilson and Company]] and numbered in the ranges from W33 to W38 for the Western System and E10 to E14 for the Eastern System. This was the first CGR locomotive contract to be awarded to Neilson's.<ref name="Littley 2"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943"/>

Depicted is engine no. W35, when new, with the Western System officials who were responsible for the locomotive fleet on board, from left Workshop Foreman E.A. Goodwin, Locomotive Superintendent Michael Stephens and Steamshed Foreman McNamara.

==Classification== When a locomotive classification system was later introduced by the CGR, all these locomotives were designated 1st Class. Although Espitalier and Day described them in 1943 as 2nd Class, the ''Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists'', a booklet which was issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office in January 1912, lists them as "4-4-0 1st class Avonside & Neilson".<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943"/><ref name="SAR Renumber">''Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists'', issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912, p. 25. (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)</ref>

==Service==

===Cape Government Railways=== As a result of the distances involved on the new mainlines which were being built into the arid [[Karoo]], the CGR favoured tender locomotives over tank locomotives for mainline work from the outset, given the limited onboard coal and water capacities of tank engines. At the time these locomotives entered service in 1879, the two Eastern System lines from East London were open as far as [[King William's Town]] and approaching [[Queenstown, Eastern Cape|Queenstown]] respectively, while the Western System line from [[Touws River (town)|Montagu Road]] was approaching [[Beaufort West]].<ref name="SAR History">''The South African Railways – Historical Survey''. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, pp. 12-13, 25.</ref>

The Western line was officially opened to Beaufort West on 5 February 1880. In 1882, one of these new locomotives made a through trip on a special train between Cape Town and Beaufort West and covered the {{convert|339|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} in ten hours, stops excluded, maintaining an average speed of {{convert|34|mph|km/h|0|abbr=off}}. At the time, it was the fastest long journey on record in South Africa.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943"/>

===South African Railways=== When the [[Union of South Africa]] was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, [[Natal Government Railways]] and [[Central South African Railways]]) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways was only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.<ref name="SAR Renumber"/><ref name="SAR History"/>

In 1912, the nine surviving locomotives were considered obsolete by the SAR, designated Class 01 and renumbered by having the numeral 0 prefixed to their existing numbers. They were all withdrawn from service by 1915, after having completed a considerable mileage while serving on branchlines after being withdrawn from mainline work.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="Littley 2"/><ref name="SAR&H Sep 1943"/><ref name="SAR Renumber"/><ref name="Paxton-Bourne">{{Paxton-Bourne|page=15}}</ref>

==Renumbering== All these locomotives were renumbered at times during the CGR era. By 1886, all the system prefixes had been done away with and, of the Eastern System's locomotives, three were no longer on the books, while the remaining four had been renumbered in the range from 606 to 609. By 1890, the two Avonside locomotives of the Western System had also been renumbered. By 1910, three more locomotives were no longer on the books and in 1912 the nine remaining locomotives were renumbered with an 0 prefix by the SAR. The builders, works numbers, years in service, original numbers and renumbering of the Cape 1st Class of 1879 are listed in the table.<ref name="Littley 2"/><ref name="SAR Renumber"/> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed sortable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:100%;" |+'''CGR 1st Class 4-4-0 of 1879''' |- ! Builder !Works no. !Year !Orig. no. !1886 no. !1890 no. !1904 no. !SAR no. |- |Avonside |1215 |1879 |W25 |25 |31 |31 |031 |- |Avonside |1216 |1879 |W26 |26 |32 |32 |032 |- |Avonside |1235 |1879 |E8 |8 | | | |- |Avonside |1236 |1879 |E9 |9 | | | |- |Neilson |2547 |1880 |W33 |33 |33 |33 |033 |- |Neilson |2548 |1880 |W34 |34 |34 |34 |034 |- |Neilson |2549 |1880 |W35 |35 |35 |35 |035 |- |Neilson |2550 |1880 |W36 |36 |36 |36 | |- |Neilson |2551 |1880 |W37 |37 |37 |37 |037 |- |Neilson |2552 |1880 |W38 |38 |38 |38 |038 |- |Neilson |2557 |1880 |E10 |10 | | | |- |Neilson |2558 |1880 |E11 |11 |606 |606 |0606 |- |Neilson |2559 |1880 |E12 |12 |607 |607 | |- |Neilson |2560 |1880 |E13 |13 |608 |608 | |- |Neilson |2582 |1880 |E14 |14 |609 |609 |0609 |- |}

==References== {{Commons category|CGR 1st Class 4-4-0 1879|CGR 1st Class 4-4-0|position=left}} {{Reflist}} {{Locomotives of the Cape Government Railways}} {{Locomotives of South Africa}}

[[Category:CGR locomotives|0200]] [[Category:4-4-0 locomotives]] [[Category:2′B n2 locomotives]] [[Category:Avonside locomotives]] [[Category:Neilson locomotives]] [[Category:Cape gauge railway locomotives]] [[Category:Passenger locomotives]] [[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1879]] [[Category:1879 in South Africa]] [[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]