The first batch of 12 engines was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia in 1902. This batch was originally of a 4-6-0wheel arrangement, and was a lighter version of the Ec class, gaining them the Baby Yanks nickname. Between 1908 and 1918 these were fitted with larger, improved boilers and converted to a 4-6-2 configuration. A second batch of 10 engines was built by the WAGR's Midland Railway Workshops in 1915, to the modified 4-6-2 design.[2][3]
Seventeen members of the class were later fitted with superheaters and reclassified as the Cs class with the first completed in June 1929. In the 1940s, five received new frames. Four of these, Cs270 Black Butt, Cs432 Marri, Cs439 Banksia and Cs440 Jarrah were transferred to the Railway Department Sawmill at Banksiadale in the early 1950s and named. All were included in the sale of the timber mill to Hawker Siddeley Building Supplies in October 1961. After being replaced by road transport, all were scrapped at Subiaco in June 1964.[1][3][4]
Namesakes
The C class designation was previously used for the C class locomotives that were withdrawn in 1902. It was reused in the 1960s when the C class diesel locomotives entered service.
^ abcTurner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. pp. 30, 147. ISBN086417778X.
^Gunzburg, Adrian; Austin, Jeff (2008). Rails Through the Bush. Perth: Rail Heritage WA. pp. 124, 125, 130. ISBN978 0 9803922 2 7.
Cited works
Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN0959969039.
External links
Media related to WAGR C class at Wikimedia Commons