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Tasmanian Government Railways H class
H2 at Devonport in 1970
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Vulcan Foundry Serial number 5949-5956 Build date 1951 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-2 Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Driver dia. 4 ft 0 in (1,219 mm) Total weight 111 long tons 0 cwt (248,600 lb or 112.8 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in (1.38 MPa) Cylinder size 18 in × 24 in (457 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 27,540 lbf (122.50 kN)
Career Operators Tasmanian Government Railways Numbers H1-H8 Withdrawn 1961-1975 Preserved H1-H2, H5-H8 Disposition 6 preserved, 2 scrapped

The Tasmanian Government Railways H class was a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways.

History

In October 1951, the Tasmanian Government Railways (TGR) took delivery of eight H locomotives from the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows built at the same time and basic design as the Gold Coast Railway 248 class in Ghana. They were delivered in a new emerald green livery. Four were later repainted red.

As they fell due for overhaul, withdrawals began in 1961. H2 received a major overhaul in 1966/67, the last of the class to receive such work. Two (H2 and H5) took part in the Centenary of Rail in Tasmania celebrations in February 1971 H5 was withdrawn after this but H2 worked periodically before being finally withdrawn in 1975. All remained in store until disposed of between 1974 and 1978.

Preservation

• H1 at the Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy
• H2 at the Derwent Valley Railway
• H5 at the Derwent Valley Railway
• H6 plinthed in Perth, Tasmania (locomotive only)
• H7 at the Don River Railway
• H8 at the Invermay Rail Heritage Precinct (loco chassis only)

Namesake

The H class designation was previously used by the H class, the last of which was withdrawn before 1930.

References

1. New Rolling Stock Railway Gazette 24 February 1950 page 213
2. Tasmanian 4-8-2 Locomotives Locomotive, Railway Carriage & Wagon Review issue 709 September 1951 pages 139/140
3. Tasmanian Railways Take Delivery of New H Class Mountain Type Steam Locos Railway Transportation April 1952 pages 28-30
4. Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. p. 158. ISBN 086417778X.
5. ^ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 248/249. ISBN 9781921719011.
6. Steam Locomotives of the Tasmanian Government Railways and its Constituents Australian Railway History issue 917 March 2014 page 15
7. The Decline of Steam Power on the Tasmanian Government Railways 1945 - 1965 Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 348 October 1966 page 218
8. H1 Australian Steam
9. H2 Australian Steam
10. H5 Australian Steam
11. H6 Australian Steam
12. H7 Australian Steam
13. H8 Australian Steam

External links

Media related to TGR H class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons

• Railway locomotives introduced in 1951
• Steam locomotives of Tasmania
• Vulcan Foundry locomotives
• 3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of Australia
• 4-8-2 locomotives