South African Class 3E

South African Class 3E
No. E201 at Bellville Loco, Cape Town, 29 April 2004
Type and origin Power type Electric Designer Metropolitan-Vickers Builder Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Serial number RSH 7215-7242 Model Metrovick 3E Build date 1947 Total produced 28
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co'Co'  • Commonwealth Co+Co Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge Wheel diameter 1,219 mm (48.0 in) Wheelbase 12,801 mm (42 ft 0 in)  • Bogie 4,267 mm (14 ft 0 in) Pivot centres 9,144 mm (30 ft 0 in) Panto shoes 10,973 mm (36 ft 0 in) Wheel spacing (Asymmetrical) 1-2: 2,286 mm (7 ft 6.0 in) 2-3: 1,981 mm (6 ft 6.0 in) Length: ​  • Over couplers 17,199 mm (56 ft 5.1 in) Height: ​  • Pantograph 4,089 mm (13 ft 5.0 in)  • Body height 3,658 mm (12 ft 0 in) Axle load Axles 1 & 3: 18,796.75 kg (41,439.7 lb) Axle 2: 19,305 kg (42,560 lb) Adhesive weight 113,797 kg (250,879 lb) Loco weight 113,797 kg (250,879 lb) Electric system/s 3 kV DC Current pickup(s) Pantographs from catenary Traction motors Six MV 187  • Rating 1 hour 336 kW (451 hp)  • Continuous 284 kW (381 hp) Gear ratio 23:71 Train brakes Air & Vacuum Couplers AAR knuckle
Performance figures Maximum speed 105 km/h (65 mph) Power output: ​  • 1 hour 2,016 kW (2,704 hp)  • Continuous 1,704 kW (2,285 hp) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 204 kN (46,000 lbf)  • 1 hour 151 kN (34,000 lbf)  • Continuous 119 kN (27,000 lbf)
Career Operators South African Railways Class Class 3E Number in class 28 Numbers E191-E218 Delivered 1947-1948 First run 1947

The South African Railways Class 3E of 1947 was an electric locomotive.

In 1947 and 1948, the South African Railways placed twenty-eight Class 3E electric locomotives with a Co+Co wheel arrangement in mainline service.

The South African Railways (SAR) placed orders for the design and construction of the 3 kV DC Class 3E electric locomotive with Metropolitan-Vickers (Metrovick) in 1944. Although the locomotive was designed by Metrovick who also supplied the electrical equipment, its construction was subcontracted to Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns. Twenty-eight locomotives were delivered and placed in service in 1947 and 1948, numbered in the range from E191 to E218.

These dual cab locomotives have three windows between the side doors on one side and four on the opposite side. When the locomotive is observed from the side with three windows, its no. 1 end will be to the viewer’s left. As on the later Class 4E, the locomotive had side doors on both sides behind each cab.

Like the Classes 1E, 2E and 4E, the Class 3E had bogie-mounted draft gear, therefore no train forces were transmitted to the locomotive body. It had a Co+Co wheel arrangement with an articulated inter-bogie linkage.

For the passenger role, provision was made for both electric and steam heating of passenger coaches, although the electric heating feature was never used on mainline passenger trains. The Class 3E had an on-board steam-heating boiler for train heating and were the only electric units to have this feature. Subsequent electric locomotive models like the Classes 4E, 5E and 6E used separate steam wagons on passenger service during the winter months.

Unlike Cape Town's and Durban's suburban trainsets, those working around Johannesburg had jumper connections on the roof above the end connecting doors. The Class 3Es were also equipped with these connections, immediately to the right hand side of each headlight. During a shortage of suburban motor coaches c. 1948-1949, Class 3Es were used to haul suburban sets on the Witwatersrand and it is likely that the electric heating system was used during those winters. In the picture alongside showing rarely seen snow on the ground along the Johannesburg-Pretoria line on the Transvaal Highveld, the roof jumper connections between the suburban coaches and next to the unit's headlight are visible.