South African Class GM 4-8-2+2-8-4

South African Class GM 4-8-2+2-8-4
No. 2298 at Krugersdorp, 23 April 1970
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerSouth African Railways
(W.A.J. Day)
BuilderBeyer, Peacock and Company
Serial number6883–6898
ModelClass GM
Build date1938
Total produced16
Specifications
Configuration:
  Whyte4-8-2+2-8-4 (Double Mountain)
  UIC2'D1'+1'D2'h4t
Driver3rd & 6th coupled axles
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Leading dia.28+12 in (724 mm)
Coupled dia.54 in (1,372 mm)
Trailing dia.34 in (864 mm)
Tender wheels34 in (864 mm)
Wheelbase86 ft 4 in (26,314 mm)
  Axle spacing
(Asymmetrical)
1-2: 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm) each
2-3: 4 ft 9 in (1,448 mm) each
3-4: 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm) each
  Engine29 ft 10 in (9,093 mm) each
  Leading6 ft 4 in (1,930 mm) each
  Coupled14 ft 5 in (4,394 mm) each
  Tender35 ft 9 in (10,897 mm)
  Tender bogie5 ft 9 in (1,753 mm)
Pivot centres43 ft (13,106 mm)
Length:
  Over couplers93 ft 4+12 in (28,461 mm) engine
43 ft 10+45 in (13,381 mm) tender
137 ft 3+310 in (41,841 mm) total
Width10 ft (3,048 mm)
Height13 ft (3,962 mm)
Frame typeBar
Axle load15 LT (15,240 kg)
  Leading17 LT 16 cwt (18,090 kg) front
18 LT 5 cwt (18,540 kg) rear
  1st coupled13 LT 15 cwt (13,970 kg)
  2nd coupled14 LT 11 cwt (14,780 kg)
  3rd coupled14 LT 19 cwt (15,190 kg)
  4th coupled14 LT 3 cwt (14,380 kg)
  5th coupled14 LT (14,220 kg)
  6th coupled15 LT (15,240 kg)
  7th coupled14 LT 15 cwt (14,990 kg)
  8th coupled13 LT 19 cwt (14,170 kg)
  Trailing11 LT 13 cwt (11,840 kg) front
11 LT 10 cwt (11,680 kg) rear
  Tender bogie24 LT 17 cwt 3 qtr (25,290 kg)
  Tender axle12 LT 8 cwt 3 qtr (12,640 kg)
Adhesive weight115 LT 2 cwt (116,900 kg)
Loco weight174 LT 6 cwt (177,100 kg)
Tender weight49 LT 15 cwt 3 qtr (50,590 kg)
Total weight224 LT 1 cwt 3 qtr (227,700 kg)
Tender typeX-17 (2-axle bogies)
X-17, X-20 permitted
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity10 LT (10.2 t)
Water cap.1,600 imp gal (7,270 L) engine
Tender cap.6,750 imp gal (30,700 L)
Firebox:
  TypeRound-top
  Grate area64 sq ft (5.9 m2)
Boiler:
  Pitch8 ft 6 in (2,591 mm)
  Diameter7 ft (2,134 mm)
  Tube plates13 ft 6+12 in (4,128 mm)
  Small tubes255: 2 in (51 mm)
  Large tubes50: 5+12 in (140 mm)
Boiler pressure200 psi (1,379 kPa)
Safety valveRoss-pop
Heating surface:
  Firebox281 sq ft (26.1 m2)
  Tubes2,785 sq ft (258.7 m2)
  Total surface3,066 sq ft (284.8 m2)
Superheater:
  Heating area778 sq ft (72.3 m2)
CylindersFour
Cylinder size20+12 in (521 mm) bore
26 in (660 mm) stroke
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve typePiston
Valve travel6+12 in (165 mm)
CouplersAAR knuckle
Performance figures
Tractive effort60,700 lbf (270 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsSouth African Railways
ClassClass GM
Number in class16
Numbers2291–2306
Delivered1938–1939
First run1938
Withdrawn1974

The South African Railways Class GM 4-8-2+2-8-4 of 1938 was an articulated steam locomotive.

During 1938 and 1939, the South African Railways placed sixteen Class GM Garratt articulated steam locomotives with a 4-8-2+2-8-4 Double Mountain type wheel arrangement in goods train service on the Mafeking line out of Johannesburg.