The South African Railways Class GD 2-6-2+2-6-2 of 1925 was an articulated steam locomotive.
In 1925, the South African Railways placed four Class GD Garratt articulated locomotives with a
2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type wheel arrangement in branchline service. Another ten of these locomotives were delivered in 1926.[1][2][3][4][5]
Manufacturer
The Class GD 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type Garratt locomotive was marginally larger and more powerful than its predecessor
Class GC, with a heavier axle loading, but also intended for branchline work. Four locomotives were delivered by
Beyer, Peacock and Company in December 1925, numbered in the range from 2220 to 2223. These were followed in January 1926 by ten more from the same manufacturer, seven of them built in 1925 and numbered in the range from 2228 to 2234, and the last three built in 1926 and numbered in the range from 2235 to 2237.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
As built, their coal bunkers had a 5 long tons (5.1 tonnes) capacity. At some stage, the coal bunker of no. 2220 was enlarged to a 9 long tons (9.1 tonnes) capacity.[4][5]
Service
The locomotives were placed in service on the North Coast and the
Pietermaritzburg to
Franklin lines in Natal. From 1926, some were allocated to Paardeneiland to work on the line from Cape Town across
Sir Lowry's Pass to
Caledon in the
Overberg. They were the first Garratts to work the Caledon line and were later joined by the two
Class GK Garratts after the New Cape Central Railway was absorbed by the SAR in 1925.[1][2][7]
The Class GD proved themselves as handy and trouble-free locomotives and gave good service for more than forty years. They were later allocated to the Cape Midland system to work across the
Montagu Pass between
George and
Oudtshoorn for many years until they were finally all allocated to the
Port Alfred branch. They remained there until they were withdrawn from service in 1967.[1][3]
Illustration
Class GD no. 2222 on the down Caledon goods from Cape Town, c. 1940
^
abcdHolland, D. F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England:
David & Charles. pp. 47–48.
ISBN978-0-7153-5427-8.
^
abcEspitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1946). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter VII - South African Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, January 1946. p. 12.
^
abcdPaxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 90.
ISBN0869772112.
^
abcdSouth African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. p. 31.