Victorian Railways A2 class

Infobox Locomotive
name = Victorian Railways A2 Class (Walschaerts)

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caption = VR photograph of A2 986 in 1916, as built. 90 years later, this locomotive is being restored to operating condition.
powertype = steam
data for = Victorian Railways A2 class
builder = VR Newport, Ballarat & Bendigo Workshops
whytetype = 4-6-0
totalproduction = 185
driversize = convert|73|in|m|3|abbr=on
length = convert|63|ft|3 +3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on
axleload = 17 tons 10 cwt (17.8 tonnes)
weightondrivers = 52 tons 2 cwt (52.9 tonnes)
weight = 121 tons 7 cwt (123.3 tonnes)
tenderc

convert|1500|impgal|abbr=on|lk=on oil, convert|4700|impgal|abbr=on water
cylindercount = Two
cylindersize = 22 × 26 in (559 × 660 mm)
tractiveeffort = convert|27480|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on|lk=on at 85% boiler pressure
firearea = convert|29|sqft|m2|abbr=on
totalsurface = convert|2040|sqft|m2|abbr=on
boilerpressure = convert|185|psi|MPa|abbr=on|lk=on
valvegear = Stephenson (125)
Walschaerts (60)
firstrun = 1907
lastrun = 1963

The A2 class was an express passenger locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1907 to 1963. A highly successful design entirely the work of Victorian Railways' own design office, its long service life was repeatedly extended as economic depression and war delayed the introduction of more modern and powerful replacement locomotives.

History

The introduction of the A2 class marked a turning point in Victorian Railways locomotive design, as it was entirely designed by VR engineers of the newly established Locomotive Design Section and the entire class built in-house at Victorian Railways workshops.Pearce et al, p. 12]

Production

Based on the success [ [http://www.steamlocomotive.com/australia/data.shtml#2385 steamlocomotive.com Locobase #2385] retrieved 2nd October 2006] of the prototype A2 572, a total of 125 Stephenson valve gear A2 locomotives were built between 1907 and 1915. The design was then altered to incorporate larger diameter cylinders, a higher pressure boiler and Walschaerts valve gear, and a further 60 locomotives of this design were produced between 1915 and 1922.

Regular service

For over forty years, the A2 was the main express passenger locomotive on the VR, hauling intrastate and interstate services. With a maximum permitted speed of convert|70|mph|km/h|sigfig=4Pearce et al, p. 21] the A2 was instrumental in the acceleration of timetables on many lines in the years following its introduction. They famously ran the Geelong "Flier" service [cite web| url=http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/images/12800/12800-00001-000044-060.asp| title=VPRS 12800/P1 H 1667 - PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - A2 CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE No.906 GEELONG FLIER FIRST TRIP |publisher=Public Record Office Victoria | accessdate=2008-05-04 ] (the first "named" train in Victoria)cite web |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html |title=VR History |publisher=victorianrailways.net |accessdate=2008-05-04] slashing journey times between Melbourne and Geelong from 90 minutes [cite web|url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/timetables/bradshaws/bradgpage24.html |title=circa 1905 Bradshaw's guide, page 24| accessdate=2008-04-25] to 63 [cite web|url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/timetables/1928country/45_46.html |title=1928 Country Passenger timetables| accessdate=2008-04-25] and finally 55 minutes, [cite journal | year = 1950 | month = July | title = The Pride of the Diesel Fleet | journal = The Victorian Railways Newsletter | url = http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/walk280.html | accessdate = 2008-04-25] a time not significantly improved upon until the introduction of 160 km/h Regional Fast Rail services in 2006. [cite press release | title = GEELONG FAST RAIL CONSTRUCTION ON TRACK | publisher = Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria
date = 2004-02-04 | url = http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/e9f1a91a8c7b480eca256e3000742d07!OpenDocument | accessdate = 2008-05-04 | quote = The express travel time will be 45 minutes, a saving of at least six minutes over the existing express services.]

A2s were also used to haul a number of special services, such as the Royal Trains for the Prince of Wales' and the Duke of York's Australian tours in 1920 [ [http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/images/12800/12800-00001-000003-030.asp Public Record Office Victoria Series VPRS 12800/P1 Item H 1027] retrieved 2nd October 2006] and 1927 respectively. Towards the end of their lives, A2 995 and 996 also had the distinction of hauling the last broad gauge "Spirit of Progress" service into Melbourne on 16 April 1962. [cite web| url=http://museumvictoria.com.au/railways/image.aspx?ID=5391 |title=Victorian Railways, Museum Victoria, Australia: Spirit of Progress A2-class steam locomotive No. 995, 16 April 1962| accessdate=2008-04-25| publisher= http://www.prov.vic.gov.au]

With their comparatively high tractive effort (the Walschaerts A2 had a higher nominal tractive effort than any other VR locomotive, regardless of type, until the introduction of the C class 2-8-0 of 1918) they also saw widespread use as a fast goods locomotive, particularly in their later life.

Design Improvements

The majority of A2 locomotives were originally built with saturated steam boilers. The class were gradually fitted with superheaters, and to differentiate between the two variants the saturated steam locomotives were renumbered as A1 class, each being reclassified as A2 class again when fitted with a superheater. The last of the A1 class, No. 808, was converted in October 1949.

The A2 class also underwent the same improvements as other post-1900 VR steam locomotive designs during the 1920s and 1930s, including the fitting of electric lighting, and Modified Front End to reduce back pressure in the exhaust system and increase efficiency, and smoke deflectors.

Experiments were conducted in 1923-4 with A2.800 using Pulverised Brown Coal (PBC) burning equipment ["Pulverised Brown Coal Fuel for Steam Locomotives" Buckland, John L. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, July, 1972 pp145-161] .

An experimental A.C.F.I. (Accessoires pour les Chemins de Fer et l'Industrie) feedwater heater was fitted to A2 973 in 1935. However, there was not sufficient improvement in efficiency for the equipment to be fitted to other locomotives and it was removed twelve years later.cite book|author = Oberg, Leon| title=Locomotives Of Australia 1850's - 1980's| publisher = Reed Books| location = NSW | year = 1984| pages = p.96 | id = ISBN 0730100057]

In the years following World War II, problems with the quality and availability of coal supplies caused VR to convert all 60 Walschaerts A2s to oil firing.

Late in their life, some of the A2s also received Boxpok driving wheels.

Later Years

Although initially limited to principle mainlines due to their comparatively heavy axle load, gradual upgrades to secondary lines saw the route availability of the class expand, together with the range of services they hauled.

In 1928, the A2 was replaced on the principal North-eastern line "Sydney Limited" and "Albury Express" services by the considerably more powerful three-cylinder S class Pacifics. However, new locomotive development ground to a halt during the 1930scite web| url=http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/history2.html |title = AHRS Railway Museum: History 1900 - 1950 |publisher = Australian Railway Historical Society | accessdate=2006-10-02] as the Great Depression severely affected both VR traffic volumes and operating revenues, and the A2 continued as the main express passenger power on all other VR mainlines.

In 1939, by which time most of the class was already over twenty-five years old, World War II broke out. The massive increase in traffic on the VR the war effort brought saw these ageing locomotives subjected to a punishing regime of heavy utilisation and minimal maintenance.

With VR's locomotive workshops switched to production of armaments and all available manpower given to the war effort, plans to eliminate the double-headed A2 operations on Melbourne-Adelaide passenger services with the introduction of more powerful H class 4-8-4 locomotives and additional S class locomotives did not come to fruition. The extra S class locomotives were never built and the line to Adelaide did not receive the necessary upgrades to take the weight of the H class. [Pearce et al, p. 19]

The A2's principal express passenger role continued into the postwar years as the VR, struggling with a backlog of repairs and limited capital expenditure, deferred new passenger locomotive construction. It was not until March 1946 when the first of the class, A2 878, was withdrawn from service.

In 1951, when the first of 70 new R class 4-6-4 express passenger locomotives were introduced, the A2 was finally superseded. In 1953, no fewer than 53 A2s went to scrap, followed by 36 more in 1954. However, many of the class (particularly the later Walschaerts variants) continued on in secondary roles such as branch-line passenger and goods services and a number lasted into the 1960s. Their last regular mainline duty was hauling services between Flinders Street Station and Leongatha, on the South Gippsland line. The last in service, A2 986, was withdrawn on 2 December 1963, exactly 56 years after the original A2 572 entered service. [ [http://www.steamtrainartist.com/text_steam_train_PL1064.html steamtrainartist.com Victorian Railways 'A2' CLASS 4-6-0] retrieved 2nd October 2006]

Accidents

Some A2 locomotives were unfortunate enough to be involved in major accidents:
* At 2:58am on 7th September 1951, the westbound and eastbound "Overland" expresses, both hauled by double-heading A2s, collided head-on at Serviceton. [ [http://www.ag.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/c85916e930b93d50ca256d050020cb1f/80d8a432a326ce82ca256d330005820d!OpenDocument Auditor General's Department EMA Disasters Database] retrieved 2nd October 2006] [ [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p247601.htm Railpage discussion] retrieved 2nd October 2006] All four locomotives were written off; three were so badly damaged they were scrapped on site.

* Australia's worst level crossing accident occurred on 8th May 1943, when A2 863 collided with a bus carrying troops at Wodonga. 25 people were killed. [ [http://www.defence.gov.au/army/ahu/On_This_Day/May/8_May.htm Australian Defence Department: On This Day - 8th May] retrieved 2nd October 2006]

Preservation

Only one of the original batch of 125 Stephenson A2 locomotives survives; A2 884 is today preserved at the ARHS North Williamstown Railway Museum, along with (Walschaerts) A2 995. A2 996 is preserved in Victorian regional city of Echuca and A2 964 is preserved in the Melbourne suburb of Reservoir.

A2 986 is currently being restored to full working order by Steamrail Victoria.

References

* Dee et al, "Power Parade", VicRail Public Relations Division, Melbourne, 1981, ISBN 0-7241-3323-2
* Pearce et al, "North Williamstown Railway Museum", ARHS, Melbourne, 1980, ISBN 0-85849-018-8
* "The Recorder", ARHS, Adelaide, November 1985, ISSN 0158-1856
* [http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/history2.html AHRS Railway Museum History 1900 - 1950] retrieved on 6th September 2006

;Specific

External links

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3517391 National Library of Australia] Photograph of prototype A2 572, December 1907.
* [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/westsou/willaura.html victorianrailways.net] Stephenson A2 936 hauling a goods train, 11th June 1930.
* [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/westsou/arara2.html victorianrailways.net] Walschaerts A2 973 leads a Stephenson A2 on The Overland, circa 1930.
* [http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/images/12800/12800-00001-000141-010.asp Public Record Office Victoria] Classic VR photograph of A2-hauled passenger train with E type carriages crossing the Malmsbury viaduct, 1945.
* [http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/images/12903/12903-p00001-000605-040.asp Public Record Office Victoria] The end of the line - A2 856 is cut up for scrap.
* [http://www.victorianrailways.net/photogallery/suburb/a2mord.html victorianrailways.net] A2 986, seen around 1962 near the end of its service life. Various modifications over the years have significantly altered its appearance from when photographed in 1916 (see top of this page).
* [http://www.steamrail.com.au/gallery/v/rollingstock/locomotives/steam/A2_986/ Steamrail A2 986 page] Photos detailing the progress of current restoration work on A2 986.