Namaqualand 0-4-2T Britannia

Namaqualand 0-4-2T Britannia

Cape Copper Company 0-4-2T Britannia, c. 1905
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Dick, Kerr & Company
Builder Dick, Kerr & Company
Build date 1905
Specifications
Configuration 0-4-2T
Gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Namaqualand
Loco weight 11 or 12 LT (11,180 or 12,190 kg)
Firebox type Round-top
Safety valve Ramsbottom
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 8 in (203 mm) bore
11 in (279 mm) stroke
Couplers Buffers and chain
Career
Operators Cape Copper Company
South African Copper Company
O'okiep Copper Company
Number in class 1
Numbers 13
Official name Britannia
Delivered May 1905
First run 1905

The Cape Copper Company 0-4-2T Britannia of 1905 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1905, a single 0-4-2 tank locomotive was placed in service by the Cape Copper Company, as a shunting engine at Port Nolloth in the Cape of Good Hope.[1]

Namaqualand Railway

The Namaqualand Railway was constructed between 1869 and 1876 by the Cape Copper Mining Company, restructured as the Cape Copper Company in 1888. The line, from Port Nolloth on the West Coast to the copper mines around O'okiep, was initially exclusively mule-powered, but in 1871 the first steam locomotives named John King and Miner were acquired by the mining company. They were followed, between 1886 and 1888, by three 0-4-0WT condensing locomotives and, between 1890 and 1904, by eight 0-6-2 Clara Class and Scotia Class Mountain type tender locomotives. A single 0-4-2IST locomotive named Caledonia entered shunting service in 1904.[1][2]

The Britannia

In 1905, a single 0-4-2 tank locomotive named Britannia was acquired from Dick, Kerr & Company of Kilmarnock in Scotland, as an additional shunting locomotive. Apart from being named, it was also numbered 13 on the Cape Copper Company locomotive roster. The locomotive was landed at Port Nolloth in May 1905 and was placed in shunting service at the port.[1]

Like the inverted saddle-tank shunting locomotive Caledonia from the same builder, the engine Britannia had a balloon chimney. In addition, it was equipped with sheet-metal casing below the running boards, to protect the motion and bearings from wind-blown sand. The encasement was hinged to allow easy access to the motion.[1]

Illustration

At some stage during its career, the balloon chimney was replaced with a stovepipe chimney and the casing covering the wheels and motion was removed. The accompanying two photographs show the locomotive in this modified form.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bagshawe, Peter (2012). Locomotives of the Namaqualand Railway and Copper Mines (1st ed.). Stenvalls. pp. 25–28, 40. ISBN 978-91-7266-179-0.
  2. The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 9.
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