Khushalgarh-Kohat-Thai MLR 2-4-2 Locomotives in India

Class N119 (Locobase 20259)

Data from plans illustrating a saddle-tank reproduced in Indian Engineering, Volume 31 (26 June 1902), following page 412. See also R N Hodges "Military Light Railway", (17 May 1901), pp. 316-317. Works number 1625 in 1900. (Information on builder and works number from Geoff Coward's Steam Survivors:India database, reproduced on the Indian Railways Fan Club ([]) website, last accessed 15 August 2017.

Hodges, Engineer-in-Chief for the Khushalgarh-Kohat-Thai Miltary Light Railway reported in detail on trials with draft animals and the little locomotive shown in these specs on a Decauville-type rail system. The 1,930 ft (588 metre) section consisted of segments of 21 lb/yard (10.5 kg/metre) rail laid on three steel sleepers, each of these weighing 27 1/2 lb (12.47 kg).

Horses, mules, bullocks, and the four-coupled locomotive tried their power in November 1901 at the NorthWestern Railway's Rawalpindi shops in what is now Pakistan.

Animal Number Could haul couldn't haul

Horse 1 2 1/2 4 1/2

2 4 6

Mule 1 2 3 1/2

2 3 1/2 4 1/2

Bullocks 2 3 1/2 4

"country"

Bullocks 2 2 1/2 3 1/2

It's not clear whether the engine in the trials is the one from the plans -- the tables on page 317 suggest a lighter locomotive.

The KKT opened in 1902--only the 100-km (62-mile) Kohat-Thai section used the 762 mm gauge. The K-T's construction took about two years before it opened in April 1903. A ropeway ferry accident at the Indus River crossing closed that bridge. When it was replaced, the rail line was converted to Indian broad gauge.