Victorian Railways J class (1859)

The Victorian Railways J class of 1859 was a class of 2-2-2 main line passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1860 and 1912, built by Beyer, Peacock & Company, Manchester, England.

Victorian Railways J class (1859)
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBeyer, Peacock & Company, Manchester, UK
Serial number110 - 114
Build date1859
Total produced5
Rebuild date1872
Number rebuilt5
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-2-2
Rebuilt 1872: 2-4-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Victorian broad gauge
Leading dia.Unknown
Rebuilt 1872: 3 ft 1+12 in (952 mm)[1]
Driver dia.6 ft 0 in (1,830 mm)[2]
Rebuilt 1872: 5 ft 0 in (1,520 mm)[1]
Trailing dia.Unknown
Rebuilt 1872: N/A
Tender wheels3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)[1]
Wheelbase31 ft 4+12 in (9.563 m)[2]
Rebuilt 1872: 33 ft 5+58 in (10.201 m)[1]
1914 diagram: 31 ft 11+12 in (9.741 m)[3]
 • EngineRebuilt 1872: 15 ft 10 in (4,830 mm)[1]
 • CoupledRebuilt 1872: 7 ft 0 in (2,130 mm)[1]
 • Tender11 ft 0 in (3.35 m)[1]
1914 diagram: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)[3]
Length:
 • Over couplersRebuilt 1872: 42 ft 0+18 in (12.805 m)[1]
1914 diagram: 40 ft 4 in (12.29 m)[3]
Height13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)[1]
Axle load10 long tons 1 cwt 2 qr (22,570 lb or 10.24 t)[2]
1914 diagram: 10 long tons 5 cwt (23,000 lb or 10.4 t)[3]
Loco weightRebuilt 1872: 27 long tons 3 cwt 1 qr (60,840 lb or 27.6 t)[2]
1914 diagram: 27 long tons 10 cwt (61,600 lb or 27.9 t)[3]
Tender weightRebuilt 1872: 23 long tons 5 cwt 3 qr (52,160 lb or 23.66 t)[2]
1914 diagram: 17 long tons 11 cwt (39,300 lb or 17.8 t)[3]
Total weightRebuilt 1872: 50 long tons 9 cwt (113,000 lb or 51.3 t)[2]
1914 diagram: 45 long tons 1 cwt (100,900 lb or 45.8 t)[3]
Fuel capacity60 long cwt (6,700 lb or 3,000 kg)[1]
Water cap.1,710 imp gal (7,800 L; 2,050 US gal)[1]
1914 diagram: 1,220 imp gal (5,500 L; 1,470 US gal)[3]
Firebox:
 • Grate area13.00 sq ft (1.208 m2)[2]
Boiler pressureReboilered pre 1896:

Reboilered 1896:

Reboilered 1908:

Re-rated 1912:

Heating surface:
 • Firebox77.22 sq ft (7.174 m2)[2]
 • Tubes937.92 sq ft (87.136 m2)[2]
 • Total surface1,015.14 sq ft (94 m2)[2]
Cylinders2, inside
Cylinder size14 in × 21 in (356 mm × 533 mm)[2]
1894 diagram: 15 in × 22 in (381 mm × 559 mm)[2]
Performance figures
Tractive effort1904 diagram - 140psi: 9,240 lbf (41.1 kN)[1]
1914 diagram: 8,580 lbf (38.2 kN) at 100 psi[3]
Career
OperatorsVictorian Railways
Number in class5
Numbers2-6, 1860: 2-10 (even only)
Delivered1860
First runMay 1860
Last run9 November 1912
(52.5 years)
Withdrawn1904 - 1912
DispositionAll scrapped

History

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Victorian Railways initially numbered passenger and goods locomotives separately. The engines were numbered 2–6 (sharing numbers with the V Class goods locomotives). This was changed in the late 1860's to odd numbers for goods locomotives and even numbers for passenger locos with these locomotives taking the even numbers 2–10.[4] This odd and even system remained in use until 1912. In 1886, they were allocated to Class J.

Production

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The five locomotives were built in 1859 with builder's numbers 110–114 at an average cost of £3774-3-7 for each loco. They arrived in Port Phillip in March 1860.[4]

Regular service

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J2 was one of the locos used to haul the Victorian Railways Royal Train for Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh during his visit in 1867.[4]
In 1894, three were allocated to Bendigo and two to Geelong.[4]
From 1908, J4 and J6 were used for motor service.

Design improvements

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In about 1872, they were rebuilt to 2-4-0 wheel arrangement to improve adhesion and allow greater tractive effort to cope with heavier loads and steeper gradients on the new routes.
Over the years they were fitted with various alterations to the cabs. There were also various upgrades over the years; with constant improvements to safety — these including things like updates to safety valves (and domes), smokeboxs and chimneys (with spark arrestors), and brakes.
At some point before 1894 they were reboilered and the new boiler pressures varied from 120–130psi.[4] J6 received another two boilers, the first in 1896, and again in 1908.[4] In 1908–09 J4 and J6 were modified for motor service. This involved fitting air brakes and cowcatchers, reducing the size of the tenders (using spare 4 wheel versions from previously scrapped locomotives), and the addition of footplats and handrails on the tenders to allow guards to return to the engine while the train was moving.[5]

Accidents

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Demise

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J2 and J8 were withdrawn in 1904. In 1907, the cylinders and frame of J10 were used as a stationary engine at Newport Workshops to drive forging machines.[4] J4 sold to Mr Findlay of Serviceton for £700 in 1912. After being withdrawn from service in 1912, J6 was used as a hot water engine until being reported as broken up on 19 February 1916. It reappeared as a hot water engine at Geelong and last reported in a boiler test on 9 March 1917.[5]

Fleet summary

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Key: In service Preserved Stored or withdrawn Scrapped
Locomotive Previous numbers Builder no. Entered service Withdrawn Scrapped Status Notes
J2 2 110 May 1860 23 April 1904 Scrapped [4]
J4 4 112 July 1860 9 November 1912 Scrapped Sold to Mr Findlay of Serviceton (£700) - 9 November 1912[4]
J6 6 114 August 1860 10 August 1912 Scrapped Hot water engine - 10 August 1912. Broken up? - 19 February 1916. Last seen - 9 March 1917[4]
J8 3 111 June 1860 5 July 1904 Scrapped [4]
J10 5 113 July 1860 28 April 1907 Scrapped Stationary engine at Newport - 29 April 1907[4]

References

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  • Dee; et al. (1981). Power Parade. Melbourne: VicRail Public Relations Division. p. 3. ISBN 0-7241-3323-2.
  • Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). "Chapter 4". Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. pp. 23–33, 35. ISBN 1876677384.

Specific

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Victorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch: Diagrams & Particulars of Locomotives, Cars, Vans & Trucks (1904 ed.). Vic: Victorian Railways. 1904. p. 4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. p. 35. ISBN 1876677384.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Victorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch: Diagrams & Particulars of Locomotives, Cars, Vans & Trucks (1914 ed.). Vic: Victorian Railwaysas reproduced by the ARHS Victoria Division in 2008. 1914. p. 6. ISBN 9781920892173.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). "Chapter 4". Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. ISBN 1876677384.
  5. ^ a b Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. pp. 169–170. ISBN 1876677384.
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