WAGR K class

WAGR K class

K class with a Goldfields Water Supply Scheme pipe train, ca. 1902

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Neilson & Co Serial number 4599-4606, 5040-5045, 5197-5206 Total produced 24

Specifications Configuration 2-8-4T Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2.75 long tons 0 cwt (6,200 lb or 2.8 t) Water cap 2,000 imp gal (9,100 l; 2,400 US gal) Boiler pressure As built: 120 lbf/in2 (0.83 MPa) Reboilered: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa) Heating surface:  • Firebox 16.7 sq ft (1.55 m2) Cylinder size 17 in × 21 in (432 mm × 533 mm)

Performance figures Power output As built:15,332 lbf (68.20 kN) Reboilered: 20,443 lbf (90.93 kN) Factor of adh. 3.8

Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Numbers K34-K41, K101-K106, K186-K195 First run 1893 Disposition all scrapped

The K-class was a class of 2-8-4T steam locomotives of the Western Australian Government Railways

Between October 1893 and August 1898, the WAGR took delivery of 24 K class locomotives from Neilson & Co. They entered service on the Eastern Railway between Midland Junction and Northam. In 1902, they were displaced from this work by the F class. They then mainly operated freight services on the Collie line and within Perth, although they did operate Royal Perth Show and raceday special passenger services.

In 1915, two were repowered with superheated boilers. A further three followed, but all were converted back by 1937. Further reboilerings increased power output by a quarter.

Six examples originally intended for the WAGR were purchased by the British Government and sent to South Africa to ease a shortage being encountered by the Imperial Military Railways as a result of the Boer War where they became the C class.

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the K class were as follows:

The K class designation was previously used by the K class that was reclassified as the L class. It was reused in the 1960s when the K class diesel locomotives entered service.