WAGR V class

WAGR V class
V1213 at Pemberton station in December 2011
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn as subcontractor to Beyer, Peacock & Co Serial number Beyer, Peacock & Co 7726–7749 Build date 1955 Total produced 24
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2  • UIC 1′D1′ h2 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Leading dia. 21.5 in (55 cm) Driver dia. 51 in (130 cm) Trailing dia. 21.5 in (55 cm) Wheelbase 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m) Length 69 ft 8 in (21.23 m) Width 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) Height 11 ft 0 in (3.35 m) Axle load 14 long tons 5 cwt (31,900 lb or 14.5 t) Adhesive weight 14 long tons 5 cwt (31,900 lb or 14.5 t) Loco weight 80t 14c 2q Total weight 134t 18c 2q Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 7 long tons 0 cwt (15,700 lb or 7.1 t) Water cap 5,390 imp gal (24,500 L; 6,470 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 40 sq ft (3.7 m2) Boiler pressure 215 lbf/in2 (1.48 MPa) Heating surface 1,817 sq ft (168.8 m2)  • Tubes 1,570 sq ft (146 m2)  • Firebox 247 sq ft (22.9 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 492 sq ft (45.7 m2) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts
Performance figures Tractive effort 33,633 lbf (149.61 kN) Factor of adh. 3.8
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Numbers V1201–V1224 Delivered 1955–1956 First run 12 April 1955 Withdrawn 14 August 1972 Preserved V1209, V1213, V1215, V1220 Disposition 4 preserved, 20 scrapped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.

Twenty-four locomotives were ordered in 1951 from Beyer, Peacock & Co, 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.

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, and the heaviest government owned steam locomotive in Australia.

The class was designed to have as many parts as possible interchangeable with the W class. It was designed with the intention of being converted to standard gauge, however when the new gauge arrived 10 year later, more powerful diesel locomotives were introduced and the V class saw out their days on the narrow gauge network.

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 on they were put 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. On 25 June 1972. V1220 hauled the final WAGR steam hauled service, the Farewell to Steam special from Brunswick Junction to Collie.