CGR 4th Class 4-4-2

{{Short description|Class of South African locomotives}} {{About|one of several different Cape Government Railways locomotive types to be designated "4th Class"|the others|Cape Government Railways 4th Class locomotives}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use South African English|date=November 2013}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = CGR 4th Class 4-4-2 South African Class 04 4-4-2 | image = CGR 4th Class 4-4-2 1897 no. 297.jpg | alt = | caption = CGR 4th Class 4-4-2 no. 297, c. 1910 | hatnote = | powertype = Steam | designer = [[Baldwin Locomotive Works]] | builder = Baldwin Locomotive Works | ordernumber = | serialnumber = 15338-15343 | buildmodel = [[Japanese National Railways|JNR]] 6600-Class | builddate = 1897 | totalproduction = 30 | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | whytetype = [[4-4-2 (locomotive)|4-4-2]] (Atlantic) | uicclass = 2'B1'n2 | driver = 2nd coupled axle | gauge = {{Track gauge|Cape|allk=on}} | leadingdiameter = {{convert|28|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | coupleddiameter = {{convert|56|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | trailingdiameter = {{convert|33|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | tenderdiameter = {{convert|32+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = {{convert|45|ft|11+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | engine total = {{convert|22|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | leading = {{convert|6|ft|mm|0|abbr=on}} | coupled = {{convert|6|ft|mm|0|abbr=on}} | trailing = | tender total = {{convert|13|ft|3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | tenderbogie = {{convert|4|ft|8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | wheelspacing = | length = | over couplers = {{convert|53|ft|5+1/2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | over bufferbeams = | pivotcentres = | width = | height = {{convert|12|ft|3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | frametype = [[Locomotive frame#Bar frames|Bar]] | axleload = {{convert|12|lt|3|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | leadingbogie/pony= {{convert|10|lt|18|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled all = | coupled 1 = {{convert|11|lt|12|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled 2 = {{convert|12|lt|3|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | coupled 3 = | coupled 4 = | coupled 5 = | coupled 6 = | coupled 7 = | coupled 8 = | trail bogie/pony = | tenderbogieload = | tenderaxle = | weightondrivers = {{convert|23|lt|15|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | locoweight = {{convert|44|lt|16|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | tenderweight = {{convert|30|lt|2|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | locotenderweight = {{convert|74|lt|18|lcwt|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} | tendertype = 2-axle bogies | fueltype = Coal | fuelcap = {{convert|5|lt|15|lcwt|t|1|abbr=on}} | watercap = {{convert|2400|impgal|L|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} | tendercap = | sandcap = | boiler = | pitch = {{convert|6|ft|11|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | boilertype = | diameterinside = {{convert|4|ft|8+7/8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | lengthinside = {{convert|14|ft|9+3/8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | smalltubediameter= '''189:''' {{convert|2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | largetubediameter= | fireboxtype = Round-top | boilerpressure = {{convert|180|psi|kPa|0|abbr=on}} | safetyvalvetype = [[Safety valve#Ramsbottom safety valves|Ramsbottom]] | feedwaterheater = | firearea = {{convert|30|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | totalsurface = {{convert|1559.85|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | tubearea = {{convert|1461.7|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | fluearea = | tubesandflues = | fireboxarea = {{convert|98.15|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | superheatertype = | superheaterarea = | cylindercount = Two | cylindersize = {{convert|16|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} bore {{convert|22|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} stroke | frontcylindersize= | rearcylindersize = | hpcylindersize = | lpcylindersize = | valvegear = [[Stephenson valve gear|Stephenson]] | valvetype = | valvetravel = | valvelap = | valvelead = | transmission = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | trainbrakes = | safety = | coupling = [[Railway coupling#Johnston coupler|Johnston link-and-pin]] | maxspeed = | poweroutput = | tractiveeffort = {{convert|13580|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} @ 75% | factorofadhesion = | locobrakeforce = | operator = [[Nippon Railway]] [[Japanese National Railways]] [[Cape Government Railways]] [[South African Railways]] | operatorclass = Nippon Rwy Bbt2/5 Class, JNR 6600-Class, CGR 4th Class, SAR Class 04 | powerclass = | numinclass = 6 | fleetnumbers = 295-300 | officialname = | nicknames = ''Hatrack'' | axleloadclass = | locale = | deliverydate = 1897 | firstrundate = 1897 | lastrundate = | withdrawndate = 1931 | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = | notes = }}

The '''Cape Government Railways 4th Class 4-4-2''' of 1897 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-[[Union of South Africa|Union]] era in the [[Cape Colony|Cape of Good Hope]].

In 1897, the Cape Government Railways placed six 4th Class tender locomotives with a 4-4-2 Atlantic type wheel arrangement in service on the section from Kimberley southwards.<ref name="Holland 1">{{Holland-Vol 1|pages=57-59}}</ref><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944">Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). ''The Locomotive in South Africa – A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II – The Cape Government Railways'' (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, January 1944. pp. 9–12.</ref>

==Manufacturer== In 1896, at the time that an urgent requirement arose on the [[Cape Government Railways]] (CGR) for more locomotives for the section of the Western System from [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] to the south, locomotive production by the usual British suppliers was being disrupted by strikes which made delivery time uncertain. At the same time, the steamship companies had suddenly doubled all freight charges to the Cape. The CGR therefore approached locomotive builders in the United States of America.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944"/><ref name="Paxton-Bourne">{{Paxton-Bourne|page=19}}</ref>

[[Baldwin Locomotive Works]], it turned out, had just completed an order for 24 [[:de:JNR Nr. 6600 bis 6623|6600-Class {{nowrap|4-4-2}} Atlantic]] type tender locomotives, numbered in the range from 6600 to 6623, for the {{convert|3|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} gauge Japanese State Railways. Baldwin offered to produce another six of the same type for the CGR. Since the Japanese locomotive met the requirements of the CGR, the offer was accepted.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944"/><ref name="Paxton-Bourne"/>

Construction of the six locomotives was completed within sixty days of confirmation of the order. The new doubled freight rates of the steamship companies were circumvented by shipping the locomotives by sailing vessel, which convinced the steamship companies to promptly revert to their previous rates.<ref name="Holland 1"/>

==Characteristics== The locomotives were designated 4th Class, in spite of being completely unlike any other in this Class on the CGR, and were numbered in the range from 295 to 300. They were the only Atlantic types to see service in South Africa.<ref name="Dulez 150">{{Dulez 150|page=43}}</ref>

They were of typical American design at the time, with bar frames, spacious cabs and high running boards. They had large boilers and large grates which had been designed to burn very poor quality coal. In service, they were found to be free steaming, excellent and smooth runners and low on maintenance costs. These qualities, with their roomy cabs and general handiness, made them popular with the enginemen, who nicknamed them ''Hatracks''.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944"/>

CGR Chief Locomotive Superintendent H.M. Beatty was equally impressed by the sturdy and simple construction and the good steaming qualities of these locomotives. The bar frame allowed the firebox to be placed on top of it and to make it {{convert|2|in|mm|0|abbr=off}} wider than what would have been possible with a plate frame on [[Cape gauge]]. Beatty became a firm believer in bar frames, to the extent that practically all his subsequent locomotive designs had such frames. Plate frames were only used again on locomotives which were acquired on repeat orders for existing locomotive types.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944"/>

==Service== 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 were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.<ref name="SAR History">''The South African Railways – Historical Survey''. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.</ref><ref name="SAR Renumber"/>

The six locomotives spent their entire service lives working in the Kimberley region. In 1912, the Baldwin-built Atlantics were considered obsolete by the SAR, designated Class 04 and renumbered by having the numeral "0" prefixed to their existing numbers. In spite of being considered obsolete, they were only scrapped in 1931.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR&H Jan 1944"/><ref name="Paxton-Bourne"/><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. 26. (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)</ref>

==Works numbers== The locomotives were numbered in reverse order of their builder's works numbers. The works numbers, original numbers and renumbering of the CGR 4th Class Atlantics are listed in the table.<ref name="Holland 1"/><ref name="SAR Renumber"/> {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed sortable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:100%;" |+'''CGR 4th Class 4-4-2''' |- ! Works no. !CGR no. !SAR no. |- |15343 |295 |0295 |- |15342 |296 |0296 |- |15341 |297 |0297 |- |15340 |298 |0298 |- |15339 |299 |0299 |- |15338 |300 |0300 |- |}

==Illustration== At left below is a Baldwin [[Builder's photo|works photograph]] of the CGR locomotive, as built, while at right is the Baldwin works picture of the Japanese locomotive. Apart from the headlights, [[Buffer and chain coupler|spring buffers]] and some other minor details, the locomotives are virtually identical. <gallery mode=packed heights="100px"> File:SAR Klasse O4.jpg|Baldwin works picture of the CGR 4th Class File:JNR 6600.jpg|Baldwin works picture of the [[:de:JNR Nr. 6600 bis 6623|JNR 6600-6623 Class]] </gallery>

The main picture of no. 297 in the CGR era and the following picture of no 0298 in the SAR era show both locomotives with tenders which were enlarged after they entered service. <gallery mode=packed heights="280px"> File:CGR 4th Class 4-4-2 1897 no. 0298.jpg|Class 04 no 0298 in SAR service, c. 1930 </gallery>

==References== {{Commons category|CGR 4th Class 4-4-2}} {{Reflist}}

[[Category:CGR locomotives|0320]] [[Category:4-4-2 locomotives]] [[Category:2′B1′ n2 locomotives]] [[Category:Baldwin locomotives]] [[Category:Cape gauge railway locomotives]] [[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1897]] [[Category:1897 in South Africa]] [[Category:Scrapped locomotives]]