South West African Class Hc
| Company type | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Steam locomotives |
Template:Use South African English
Template:Infobox locomotive
The South West African Class Hc steam locomotive with a 0-6-0T wheel arrangement was a narrow gauge engine introduced in the era of German South West Africa in the year 1907.
Initially, in that same year, the German colonial government in German South West Africa procured three Class Hc tank locomotives featuring the 0-6-0 configuration for operation under lease by the Otavi Mining and Railway Company. Subsequently, two additional units were commissioned in the years 1910 and 1911. A sixth example was later added to the fleet by the South African Railways in the year 1923.
Manufacturer
In 1907, the German firm Henschel and Son produced three narrow gauge steam locomotives of the 0-6-0T wheel arrangement, featuring a track gauge of 600 millimetres (23.6 inches). These units were constructed for the German Administration in German South West Africa (GSWA). Their factory serial numbers ranged between 8334 and 8336. Classified as Class Hc, these locomotives were assigned road numbers from 81 to 83.[1][2][3][4]
German South West Africa
Equipped with Allan valve gear, these locomotives featured compact coal bunkers holding approximately 660 pounds (299 kilograms) of fuel. Their side tanks could carry around 220 imperial gallons (1,000 litres) of water.[1][2]
The "Hc" designation indicated that this was the third class of locomotives built by Henschel specifically for GSWA, likely excluding those withdrawn from service before the onset of World War I. These engines were leased to the Otavi Mining and Railway Company, which operated a narrow gauge line traversing the Namib Desert between Swakopmund and Tsumeb.[1]
In addition, Henschel supplied two further Class Hc locomotives in 1910 and 1911: locomotive no. 104 with works number 10415, and no. 106 bearing works number 10765. Both were utilized primarily as shunters at Otavi.[1][2][3]
South African Railways
Following the outbreak of World War I, South African forces assumed control over the former German colony, including its railway system. The railways in GSWA were initially managed by the Union Defence Forces. On 1 August 1915, operational oversight transferred from military authorities to the Director of Railways based in Windhoek. Subsequently, on 1 April 1922, all railway infrastructure and rolling stock within South West Africa were integrated into the South African Railways (SAR) network.[1]
None of the five pre-war Class Hc locomotives remained in service when SAR took over. In response, SAR commissioned a new Class Hc locomotive in 1923, numbered 84 and constructed according to the original design by Henschel under works number 19765. This particular engine was eventually scrapped and did not survive into preservation.[1][3][4]
Works numbers
The following table details the works numbers, construction years, and assigned locomotive numbers for the Class Hc series.[3]
| Works no. | Year built | Loco no. |
|---|---|---|
| 8334 | 1907 | 81 |
| 8335 | 1907 | 82 |
| 8336 | 1907 | 83 |
| 10415 | 1910 | 104 |
| 10765 | 1911 | 106 |
| 19765 | 1923 | 84 |
Illustration
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Class Hc at Tsumeb, circa 1930
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedPaxton-Bourne - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedSAR&H Dec 1947 - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHenschel - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Template:Dulez 150
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