South West African 0-10-0
| Industry | Railway |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1911 |
| Headquarters | Lüderitzbucht , German South West Africa |
| Products | Steam locomotives |
South West African 0-10-0 Locomotive (1911)
The South West African 0-10-0 steam engine was introduced during the period of German South West Africa.
In 1911, the Lüderitzbucht Eisenbahn (Lüderitzbucht Railway) commissioned six locomotives featuring a 0-10-0 Decapod wheel configuration. These units were operational within German South West Africa but had been retired by the time all rail lines in the region were consolidated under South African Railways control in 1922.
Manufacturer
In 1910, Henschel & Son from Kassel, Germany, constructed six locomotives featuring a 0-10-0 Decapod wheel configuration for a French colonial territory in Africa. However, French inspectors declined to accept these engines. Subsequently, in 1911, the German government acquired them at a price of £2,000 each on behalf of the Lüderitzbucht-Gesellschaft company, which operated the Lüderitzbucht Eisenbahn under lease and shared earnings with the government.[1][2]
Characteristics
These locomotives were equipped with flat "D" type sliding valves controlled by Heusinger valve gear and featured Laird-style crossheads supported by single slide bars. To shield the moving parts from the abrasive sand prevalent in the Namib Desert, plate shields extended along the entire length of the engine, hinged at the running board for easy maintenance access.[1][3]
The frame consisted of 3⁄4 inch (19 millimetres) thick plate steel, reinforced by stretchers measuring 1+1⁄4 inches (32 millimetres) in thickness. The coupled wheels had a diameter of 48 inches (1,219 millimetres), while the cylinders measured 18+1⁄2 inches (470 millimetres) in bore and 20+5⁄8 inches (524 millimetres) in stroke. Fully loaded, the combined weight of locomotive and tender was 74 long tons (75,190 kilograms), delivering a tractive effort of 16,220 pounds-force (72.2 kilonewtons) at 75% boiler pressure.[1][3]
To facilitate lateral movement on curves, the axle boxes on both the foremost and rearmost coupled wheels lacked inside flanges. Given their wheel arrangement without leading or trailing wheels for stability at higher speeds, these locomotives were better suited for slow-speed yard duties rather than mainline service. Reports indicate that their use on mainlines quickly caused excessive lateral play, eventually resulting in wheel tyres damaging the spring hangers.[1]
Service
Assigned numbers from 101 through 106, these locomotives operated primarily on the Südbahn route stretching from Lüderitzbucht through Seeheim to Kalkfontein, where they served as principal motive power. Despite being favored by engine crews, their operational efficiency was poor. Due to their relatively light build, they were restricted to hauling only three-quarters of their maximum load capacity.[1]
None of these units remained in service following the conclusion of the First World War.[1][3]