WAGR A Class Steam Locomotive

The WAGR A class was developed as a mixed traffic locomotive capable of doing up to 60 mph.

History:
In 1880 John Robb got the contract to build the first part of the Eastern Railway from Fremantle to Guildford. John Robb then imported a 2-6-0 from Beyer Peacock & Co to help with this task. Later the locomotive was sold to the WAGR and given the number 3 and classed A. Then in 1885 several more of these locomotives were ordered totaling in 12 A class. These engines were used widely on the WAGR Network right up until the 1950's when most of the class started to be withdrawn as they were old, under powered and high maintenance. However A11 was set aside for preservation and given to the ARHS Western Division and eventually put on display in their Bassendean Railway Museum. Another A Class A15 was also bought privately and is know in Meredith in Victoria and is said to be under restored. The Successful WAGR A-class 2-6-0 locomotives were basically repeats of the South Australian Railways W class design which had been supplied by Beyer Peacock from 1877. The boilers originally featured sloping smokebox fronts and Salter safety valves, and most of the class was supplied with a small 4-wheel tender. The type proved well suited to passenger and mixed train duties of the day, with the A-class growing to 13 examples via repeat orders from Beyer Peacock & Co. plus one example supplied by Dubs & Co. There was also an A class exception the WAGR bought a South Australian Y Class it was classified A despite having a different smokebox and cylinder and a few other differences eventually the locomotive ended up with Whittaker Bros in 1936 and named Vital and withdrawn from service in 1944 and scrapped in the same year. Three A Class locomotives had 6 wheel tenders similar to the G class A15 being one of those engines.

Known Numbers:
A3

A3(2nd)

A3(3rd)

A4

A5

A7(2nd)

A9

A10

A11

A15

A16

A21

A(unknown number)

A (Vital unknown number)

Extra Technical Information:
Cylinders (dia. x stroke): ''12in. 20in.''

Boiler Pressure: 120 p.s.i

Grate Area: 9.75 sq. ft.

Heating Surface: Unknown

Tubes: 508 sq. ft.

Firebox: 33 sq. ft.

Total: 541 sq. ft.

Weight Of Engine Only: 19.6 tons

Weight Of Tender Only: 10.75 tons

Water Capacity: 832 Gallons