Namaqualand 0-6-2 Locomotives in South_Africa

Class Clara (Locobase 20766)

Data from "Namaqualand 0-6-2 Clara Class" in Wikipedia at [], last accessed 26 July 2020. Works numbers were T246, T258, T261 in 1890-1893.

The Cape of Good Hope (Cape Colony) was a British possession in extreme southern Africa. One reason for the interest in the area were the copper mines. As they were developed, the Cape Copper Mining Company built a 150 km (93.5 mile) railway on the 2' 6" gauge (762 mm). This connected the mines around O'okiep to Port Nolloth.

Rising from the coast, the railway encountered mountainous terrain that needed more power to haul the trains, especially those loaded with coke to support the mine-based smelting. These relatively large (for the gauge) radial tanks were the answer.

They soon acquired the "Mountain" nickname for their success. Clara was soon joined by Marie and James Kitson.

In addition to the grades, NR locomotives had to cope with abrasive sand blown by persistent winds and corrosive water. Like many engines in sandy settings, the Claras wore skirts that protected the motion and running gear. After a few years, the class showed "major problems" with their boilers and fireboxes. This was remedied by reconditioning the boilers.

The trio continued to serve copper even after the Cape Copper Company folded in 1922. South African Copper and later O'okliep operated all three until the early 1940s. Marie and James Kitson were scrapped by 1942.

Clara cntinued shunting at O'okliep and hauling local trains between O'okliep and Nababeep. Retired in 1950, the engine eventually wound on a plinth erected at the Nababeep mine, on diplay at the Peter Philip Museum in town