Tasmanian Government Railways H class (1951)

Tasmanian Government Railways H class

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry Serial number 5949-5956 Build date 1951 Total produced 8

Specifications Configuration 4-8-2 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 4 ft 0 in (1,219 mm) Total weight 111 long tons 0 cwt (248,600 lb or 112.8 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in^2 (1.38 MPa) Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)

Performance figures Tractive effort 27,540 lbf (122.50 kN)

Career Operators Tasmanian Government Railways Numbers H1-H8 Preserved H1, H2, H5-H8 Disposition 6 preserved, 2 scrapped

The Tasmanian Government Railways H class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways.

History

Gold Coast Railway 248 class of the same design as the H class.

In October 1951, the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) took delivery of eight H locomotives from the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows built to the same design as the Gold Coast Railway 248 class in Ghana. They were delivered in a new emerald green livery. Four were later repainted red.^[1][2][3][4]

As they fell due for overhaul, withdrawals began in 1961. Two (H2 and H5) were overhauled for the centenary of rail in Tasmania celebrations in February 1971, before being finally withdrawn in 1975. All remained in store until disposed of in 1978.^[2]

Preservation

• H1 at the Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy^[5]
• H2 at the Derwent Valley Railway^[6]
• H5 at the Derwent Valley Railway^[7]
• H6 plinthed in Perth, Tasmania (locomotive only)^[8]
• H7 at the Don River Railway^[9]
• H8 at the Invermay Rail Heritage Precinct (frame only)^[10]

Namesake

The H class designation was previously used by the H class, the last of which was withdrawn in 1931.

References

1. Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. p. 158. ISBN 086417778X.
2. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 248/249. ISBN 9781921719011.
3. "Steam Locomotives of the Tasmanian Government Railways and its Constituents" Australian Railway History issue 917 March 2014 page 15
4. H Class Rail Tasmania
5. H1 Australian Steam
6. H2 Australian Steam
7. H5 Australian Steam
8. H6 Australian Steam
9. H7 Australian Steam
10. H8 Australian Steam