WAGR B Class Steam Locomotive

The first two B Class were ordered from Kitson & Co, Leeds in 1884 to work the steeply graded Eastern Railway from Guildford to Chidlow.

History:
The first two B Class were very successful and another three were ordered and delivered in 1885 and 1886 and later another six/seven were ordered and delivered. However these had extended side tanks between 1898 and 1902 all the other class members were retro fitted with extended side tanks. The class worked well and effectively but were replaced by the K Class as the K class was stronger. All B Class by 1910 had been relegated to shunting duties as heavy shunters. In their early life they worked well along side the J Class and Ja class but by 1925 several of the class had been withdrawn and scrapped. Withdrawals stopped after 1940 due to world war two and started up again in the early 1950's. And by 1959 all had been withdrawn and by the late 1960's the last two had been scrapped. The B Class helped with a lot of large construction projects namely bridges and tunnels. They also bear some similarities to the Sri Lanka Railways B2 Class Tank/Tender engine and the narrow gauge Hunslet 4-6-0 tank engine.

Known Numbers:
B8

B9

B12

B13

B14

B15

B180

B181

B182

B183

B184

B185

Technical Information:
Cylinders (dia x stroke): Unknown

Boiler Pressure: 160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)

Grate Area: Unknown

Heating Surface: Unknown

Tubes: Unknown

Firebox: 1st & 2nd batches: 10.3 sq ft 3rd batch: 11.7 sq ft (1.09 m2)

Total: Unknown

Water Capacity: 1st & 2nd batches: 600 imp gal (2,700 l; 720 US gal) 3rd batch: 1,000 imp gal (4,500 l; 1,200 US gal)