Cape Government Beyer-Garratt Locomotives in South_Africa

Class Fairlie (Locobase 12867)

Data from D F Holland, Steam Locomotives of the South African Railroads, Volume I: 1859-1910 (New York: Drake Publishers, 1972), p. 27.

Holland reports that this locomotive was ordered to meet the need for more power and that it didn't prove entirely successful. The crews found the cab cramped and difficult to communicate within. Water and coal supplies needed to grow and the engine units unrestrained in their swivelling, particularly during derailments.

The next Fairlie would do better; see Locobase 12868.

Class Fairlie (Locobase 12868)

Data from D F Holland, Steam Locomotives of the South African Railroads, Volume I: 1859-1910 (New York: Drake Publishers, 1972), p. 27.

Avonside's second Fairlie included the improvements that experience with the first (Locobase 12867) suggested. Roscoe lubrication improved the action of the ball joints that coupled elements of the steam piping. But, Holland says, the crews still didn't like the cabs and particularly the fireboxes. A particular problem was the difficulty in cleaning out clinker and ash - it simply couldn't be done without stopping the locomotive(s). He quand totes a fireman's lament:

"It was back-breaking work and I have never forgotten it. It was a very clumsy engine, and the men detested it."

No others followed and the Fairlie was scrapped in 1903.

NB: Tube length is an estimate based on the calculation of tube surface area by subtracting reported firebox heating surface from reported total evaporative heating surface