Victorian Railways G class (1877)

The Victorian Railways G class was a class of 4-4-0 light line passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1877 and 1904.

For the 1925 NG steam locomotives, see Victorian Railways G class. For the 1984 diesel locomotives, see V/Line G class.

Victorian Railways G class
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerMeikle
BuilderWilliamstown Workshops
Build date1877
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-4-0
Gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Victorian broad gauge
Leading dia.3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (952 mm)
Driver dia.4 ft 0 in (1,220 mm)
Tender wheels4 ft 0 in (1,220 mm)
Wheelbase34 ft 4+1⁄2 in (10.478 m)
Length42 ft 8+1⁄2 in (13.018 m)[1]
Height12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)[1]
Axle load10 long tons 14 cwt (24,000 lb or 10.9 t)
Loco weight30 long tons 7 cwt (68,000 lb or 30.8 t)
Tender weight20 long tons 15 cwt (46,500 lb or 21.1 t)
Total weight51 long tons 2 cwt (114,500 lb or 51.9 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity60 long cwt (6,700 lb or 3,000 kg)
Water cap.1,698 imp gal (7,720 L; 2,039 US gal)
Boiler pressureNo. 38 (1904):120 psi (827 kPa)
No. 44 (1904):130 psi (896 kPa)[1]
Heating surface877.25 sq ft (81 m2)
 • Tubes794.85 sq ft (73.844 m2)
 • Firebox82.40 sq ft (7.655 m2)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size15 in × 18 in (381 mm × 457 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort8,437 lbf (37.53 kN) at 100 psi
Career
OperatorsVictorian Railways
NumbersG38, G44
First runJanuary 1877
Last run13 August 1904
(27.6 years)
Disposition2 scrapped

History

Numbered 38 and 44, numbers vacated by two withdrawn Geelong and Melbourne Railway Company engines. Classed 'G' in 1886.[2]

Production

Built by the Williamstown Workshops in 1877. Design was similar to the 1874 K class in both power and weight. The four-wheel bogie instead of a fixed axle at the front reduced the maximum wheel load a little and improved lateral stability. All Meikle engines had been fitted with almost standard four-wheeled tenders, differing only in minor details, but this new design had a wheelbase of 8 feet compared with 7 feet and had a larger capacity.[2]

Regular service

Based at Castlemaine in the 1890s presumably for the Maldon line.[2]

Design improvements

Both reboilering in 1882. No.38 fitted with an extended smokebox.[2]

Withdrawal

Both the locomotives were scrapped in 1904.[2]

Fleet summary
Key: In Service Preserved Stored or Withdrawn Scrapped
Locomotive Builder No. Entered service Withdrawn Scrapped Status Notes
G38February 18778 August 1904Scrapped[2]
G44January 187713 August 1904Scrapped[2]

References
  • Dee; et al. (1981). Power Parade. Melbourne: VicRail Public Relations Division. ISBN 0-7241-3323-2.
  • Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. pp. 72–77. ISBN 1876677384.

Specific
  1. Victorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch: Diagrams & Particulars of Locomotives, Cars, Vans & Trucks (1904 ed.). Vic: Victorian Railways. 1904. p. 3.
  2. Cave, Buckland & Beardsell 2002
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