Rhodesia Railways 15th class

Rhodesia Railways 15th class

15th class No. 417 arrives at Thomson Junction, Zimbabwe, with a freight train from Victoria Falls
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Builder Beyer, Peacock and Company
Société Franco-Belge
Build date 1940–1952
Total produced 74
Specifications
Configuration 4-6-4+4-6-4
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Driver dia. 57 in (1,448 mm)
Axle load 14 long tons 15 cwt (33,000 lb or 15 t)
Adhesive weight 76 long tons 19 cwt (172,400 lb or 78.2 t)
Loco weight 180 long tons 18 cwt (405,200 lb or 183.8 t)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		 47.5 sq ft (4.41 m2)
Boiler pressure 15th: 180 psi (1.24 MPa)
15A: 200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Tubes and flues		 2,110 sq ft (196 m2)
 • Firebox 212 sq ft (19.7 m2)
Superheater:
 ​
 • Heating area 494 sq ft (45.9 m2)
Cylinders Four
Cylinder size 17.5 in × 26 in (444 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 15th: 42,740 lbf (190.1 kN)
15A: 47,490 lbf (211.2 kN)
Career
Operators Rhodesia Railways
Zambia Railways
National Railways of Zimbabwe
Class 15th, 15A

The Rhodesia Railways 15th class (later Zambian Railways and National Railways of Zimbabwe 15th classes), was the second-largest class of Garratt locomotives, with 74 locomotives built. Only the Class GMA/GMAM of the South African Railways was more numerous at 120 locomotives.

Development and delivery

The 4-6-4+4-6-4 wheel arrangement is sometimes called a "Double Baltic" or "Double Hudson" Garratt. The Rhodesia Railways (RR) 15th class was one of only two Double Baltic Garratt classes built, the other class of "Double Baltics" being the Sudan Railways 250 class (which RR later bought and classified as their 17th class).

The 15th class were largely based on the RR 16th class 2-8-2+2-8-2 Garratts. A requirement for a locomotive with a larger driving wheel diameter for higher speed train service on the more level parts of the railway led to the design of a new class. Initially a "Double Pacific" (4-6-2+2-6-4) was considered, but after examining the Sudan Railways 250 class (which were built in 1937), the RR settled on a design with the same wheel arrangement and same driver diameter (57 in or 1,448 mm) as the Sudanese Double Baltics.

Initially four locomotives were ordered, and they were numbered 271–274. These Garratts were built with a "semi-streamlined" rounded front bunker (water tank), that would become synonymous with modern Garratt locomotives.

The locomotives proved their worth, with a high availability, achieving 6,200 miles (10,000 km) per month. After World War II, a further 70 locomotives were ordered.

The 1947 batch of ten were delivered with a modified front bunker, and a rounded rear bunker as well (the first four had a standard rectangular rear bunker). The next twenty locomotives had further modifications to the front bunker, while the rear bunker had been modified to increase coal capacity from 10 to 12.5 long tons (10.2 to 12.7 t).

The last forty locomotives were designated as 15A class. While almost identical externally, they had their boiler pressure increased from 180 to 200 psi (1.24 to 1.38 MPa).

Table of 15th class and 15A class orders
Year Qty BP Order No. BP Works No. RR Class RR No. Notes
1940 4 11115 6936–6938 15th 271–274 Renumbered 350–353; withdrawn by 1975
1947 10 11137 7228–7231 15th 275–280, 290–293 Renumbered 354–363
1948 10 11139 7260–7269 15th 364–373
1948–49 10 11142 7270–7279 15th 374–383
1949–50 15 11148 7326–7340 15A 384–398
1950 15 11149 7351–7365 15A 399–413 404 renumbered 424
1952 10 11159 7555–7564 15A 414–423 Subcontracted to Société Franco-Belge (2963–2972)

With the introduction of the 17th class (numbered 271–280) and the 18th class (numbered 281–289), the early members of the class were renumbered to put all of the 15th class into a solid block.

Over the following years there were some swapping of boilers between locomotives of 15th, 15A and 16th classes, as well as exchanges of front bunkers, so it was impossible to say for certain if a particular locomotive is 15th or 15A class (i.e. has a 180 or 200 psi boiler).

Service

The 15th class were Intended for the 500-mile (800 km) long run from Bulawayo to Mafeking, South Africa via Francistown and Gaborone, Bechuanaland (now Botswana) but this was dependent on the strengthening of certain bridges which could not be carried out due to the war. They therefore worked the Salisbury-Gwelo section and proved their value there, so after the war more were ordered. After use on most of the system, as outlined further, they eventually worked in Botswana after 1959 and reached Mafeking in 1966 when Rhodesia Railways took over operation of the whole system.They replaced the 12th class 4-8-2 locomotives previously used.[1] The 15th class came to dominate the line, to the extent that they became the only type used until the DE2 class diesels were assigned to the Bulawayo–Mafeking trains in 1973.[2] On these trains, the locomotives were worked almost continuously on the 1000-mile round trip, with two crews, one working, one resting in the caboose.[2]

The 15th class were also used on the Bulawayo to Salisbury (now Harare), Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, and Gwelo to Malvernia, Mozambique trains. A few were also used in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). When Zambia took over the operation of railways in its territory, only a few 15th class locomotives went to Zambia Railways. Consequently there was no wholesale renumbering of the 15th class like there was with the 20th class.

One locomotive that was renumbered was 404. It ran away on a downhill section between Thompson Junction and Dett (now Dete). It derailed and overturned on one of the many curves, killing its experienced driver. The locomotive was believed to be jinxed, and so after repair, was renumbered 424. One of its old number plates became a memorial at the derailment site.[3]

By June 1975 there were 52 locomotives of the 15th class left in service, all allocated to Bulawayo.[2]

Rebuilding

15th class No. 406 Ikolo (Hornbill) with a passenger train at Victoria Falls, 1997.
15th class No. 406 Ikolo (Hornbill) with a passenger train at Victoria Falls, 1997.

In 1978 Rhodesia Railways started a rebuilding program for its steam locomotive fleet. Between 1980 and 1983 the remaining Garratt locomotives were completely overhauled and had some modernisation, including the installation of roller bearings. The work was undertaken by private companies, especially the RESSCO works in Bulawayo.

Thirty-four locomotives of the 15th and 15A classes were rebuilt, but locomotives from the 1940 and 1947 batches were excluded. All were given 200 psi boilers, and so with the 180 psi 15th class effectively dead, the 15A class was renamed the 15th class. These rebuilt locomotives were given names of African wildlife:

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Table of names of rebuilt 15th/15A locomotives
NRZ
No. 		NRZ name Translation of name
370 Ibhalabhala Kudu
371 Inkolongwane Hartebeest[4]
376 Ingulungundu Bushpig[5]
380 Umahelwane African goshawk
381 Ingwe Leopard[6]
382 Iganyana Jackal
385 Ingwenya Crocodile
386 Umyelane Spring hare[5]
387 Imvubu Hippopotamus
389 Umziki Reedbuck
391 Ingugama Gemsbok
392 Ithaka Roan Antelope
394 Umzwazwa Brown hawk[6]
396 Igogo Klipspringer
397 Inyathi Buffalo
398 Isidumuka Waterbuck
400 Imbila Rock rabbit or rock hyrax[4]
402 Impofu Eland
406 Ikolo Hornbill
407 Ukhozi Eagle
409 Inkakha Pangolin[7]
410 Inkolomi
414 Ubhejane Black rhinoceros[6]
415 Itsheme Great Bustard
416 Inuga Porcupine
417 Umathabene Kestrel
418 Umkhombo White Rhinoceros
419 Isambane Ant Bear
420 Indlovu Elephant
421 Intundla Giraffe[8]
422 Inkonkoni Blue wildebeest
423 Idube Zebra
424 Isilwane Lion

Due to the continuing difficult economic situation in Zimbabwe, the rebuilt steam locomotives remained in service longer than originally planned. Only at the turn of the millennium was the end of general steam operation decided. After this time, the locomotives were only used until general repairs became due. The parked locomotives were then used for spare parts, but have not been scrapped.

In 2006 and 2007 ten Garratts underwent minor repairs and were put back into service, although their use was confined to shunting, suburban and special service trains. The ten included four members of the 15th class: numbers 386, 395, 416, and 424.

As of March 1st 2016, numbers 395 and 414 were still in use, either leased to HCC (see below) or held for excursion / charter service.

Hwange Colliery

The Hwange Colliery (formerly Wankie Colliery) acquired a total of five 15th class locomotives from National Railways of Zimbabwe for shunting and working transfers to the NRZ at Thompson Junction. These were numbered 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 (formerly NRZ 415, 396, 392, 423 and 370 respectively). As of 1st December 2014, all five are now out of service (with 8 and 9 scrapped) for various boiler and mechanical issues and the Colliery rents 15th 395 or 414 for alternate months from NRZ. This arrangement continues as of March 1st 2016.

Preserved locomotives

15A class No. 398 in South Africa, 2009.
15A class No. 398 in South Africa, 2009.

At least four locomotives of the 15th class are currently museum or monument locomotives, including two of the first four of 1940:

There are currently no 15th class locomotives in the Bulawayo Railway Museum.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Nock 1970, p. 119
  2. 1 2 3 Turk 1976, p. 76
  3. ↑ Turk 1976, p. 78
  4. 1 2 Eatwell 2011, p. 517
  5. 1 2 Eatwell 2011, p. 518
  6. 1 2 3 Eatwell 2011, p. 591
  7. ↑ Eatwell 2011, p. 589
  8. ↑ Eatwell 2011, p. 520

Bibliography

External links

External video
Zimbabwe Steam: Bulawayo - Garratt City #1 - April 1997 A few scenes of Bulawayo in 1997 with Classes 14A, 15A and 16A Garratts at work on various duties around the city, along with shed and workshop scenes. (Time 12:16)
External video
Zimbabwe Steam: Bulawayo - Garratt City #2 - April 1997 Some morning scenes at Bulawayo Steam Shed in 1997 with 14A, 15A and 16A Garratts leaving the shed. Then we see 15A 417 "Umathebene" hauling a goods train out to Cement and shunting the yard there. (Time 5:38)
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