The South Australian Railways U Class Locomotives were the first built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1876 for the South Australian Railways narrow-gauge lines.[1]

South Australian Railways U Class
South Australian Railways U Class Locomotive No. 2
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Beyer, Peacock and Company Serial number 1499-1506 Build date 1876 Total produced 8 Number rebuilt 4
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-0  • UIC 2'C 2 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 34 ft 6+1⁄2 in (10.528 m) Axle load 5 long tons 3 cwt (11,500 lb or 5.2 t) Total weight 30 long tons 3 cwt (67,500 lb or 30.6 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2 long tons 6 cwt (5,200 lb or 2.3 t) Water cap. 850 imp gal (1,020 US gal; 3,900 L) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 9.76 sq ft (0.907 m2) Boiler pressure 130 lb/sq in (896 kPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes 492.1 sq ft (45.72 m2)  • Firebox 45.4 sq ft (4.22 m2) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 12 in × 20 in (305 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 7,532 lbf (33.50 kN)
Career Operators South Australian Railways Class U Number in class 8 Numbers 1-8 First run 4.1876 Withdrawn 1904-1929 Scrapped 1904-1955 Disposition all scrapped

History

When horses proved unsatisfactory on the narrow gauge lines, particularly the Port Wakefield-Hoyleton and Port Pirie-Crystal Brook lines, it was decided to introduce steam traction, resulting in eight engines being imported from Beyer, Peacock and Company. These 2-6-0 type locomotives were the first to work on the South Australian Railways narrow gauge system, an extensive one in the early part of the twentieth century. On arrival from England the locomotives were assembled, with four allocated to Port Pirie and the remainder to Port Wakefield. In addition to their regular operations, several were used by contractors from time to time in the work of extending the narrow gauge further into the hinterland. As heavier locomotives became available to handle additional traffic, the U class engines were used for shunting duties in the areas they helped to develop. Some were later diverted to the Port Lincoln Division, where they served until withdrawal.[2]

References