The Cape Government Railways Type C 0-4-0T Midget of 1902 was a South African steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

CGR Type C 0-4-0T Midget
South African NG 0-4-0T 1902
CGR Type C 0-4-0T no. 41 of 1902
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerManning Wardle & Company
BuilderManning Wardle & Company
Order number52400
Serial number1583
Build dateEx works 7 November 1902
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte0-4-0T
 • UICBn2t
Driver2nd coupled
Gauge2 ft (610 mm) narrow
Coupled dia.26 in (660 mm)
Wheelbase4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm)
Length:
 • Over couplers19 ft 9+12 in (6,032 mm)
Width6 ft 3 in (1,905 mm)
Height8 ft 4 in (2,540 mm)
Axle load7 LT 10 cwt (7,620 kg)
Adhesive weight15 LT (15,240 kg)
Loco weight15 LT (15,240 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity500 lb (230 kg)
Water cap.400 imp gal (1,820 L)
Firebox:
 • TypeRound-top
 • Grate area5 sq ft (0.46 m2)
Boiler:
 • Pitch4 ft (1,219 mm)
 • Diameter2 ft 4 in (711 mm)
Boiler pressure140 psi (965 kPa)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size9 in (229 mm) bore
14 in (356 mm) stroke
Valve gearWalschaerts
Loco brakeSteam brakes
CouplersBell-and-hook
Performance figures
Tractive effort4,580 lbf (20.4 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsCape Government Railways
South African Railways
West Rand Consolidated Mines
ClassType C
NumbersCGR 41, SAR NG20
Official nameMidget, Taffy
Delivered1902
First run1902
Withdrawn1921
Restoredc. 1981

In 1902, the Cape Government Railways placed a single 0-4-0T narrow gauge steam locomotive in service on the Avontuur branch. In 1912, this locomotive was assimilated into the South African Railways and renumbered. It was sold to the West Rand Consolidated Mines near Krugersdorp in 1921.[1][2][3][4]

Manufacturer

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The locomotive was built and delivered by Manning Wardle and Company in 1902, with works number 1583. Named Midget, it was designated Type C and numbered 41 on the Cape Government Railways (CGR). The locomotive was delivered with an open cab, roofed, but not enclosed. To offer better protection to the crew, a spectacle plate and enclosed sides were added at some point soon after it entered service.[1][2]

Service

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Cape Government Railways

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The engine Midget was placed in service on the Avontuur branch out of Port Elizabeth, where it was employed on construction work and as shunting engine. It was also used to haul short two-coach passenger trains, based on the light railways premise that a light engine on low-volume passenger service would reduce running costs by 50% compared to larger locomotives.[1]

 
Type C on light passenger service

The locomotive is reputed to have worked light two-carriage suburban passenger trains on the Walmer branch in Port Elizabeth at half the cost of the Type A and Type B locomotives. It was therefore possible to cater for traffic which, with the larger engines, would have been unremunerative.[2]

South African Railways

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When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, Natal Government Railways and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.[3][5]

In 1912, the locomotive was renumbered to no. NG20 on the South African Railways (SAR), with the letters NG identifying it as a narrow gauge locomotive in the SAR registers. In 1921, it was sold to the West Rand Consolidated Mines in Krugersdorp.[1][2][3]

Preservation

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Upon eventually being withdrawn from service at the mines, the engine Midget was placed in storage until the Crown Mines Museum was established south of Johannesburg. The locomotive was restored, renamed Taffy and worked at Gold Reef City, as the museum was later named, until it was eventually retired once more and placed on static display at the museum.[1][4]

Illustration

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The following pictures show the engine Taffy in service at Gold Reef City in January 1982.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 111, 157. ISBN 0869772112.
  2. ^ a b c d Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II - The Cape Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, April 1944. pp. 253-257.
  3. ^ a b c Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer's Office, Pretoria, January 1912, p. 47 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
  4. ^ a b Dulez, Jean A. (2012). Railways of Southern Africa 150 Years (Commemorating One Hundred and Fifty Years of Railways on the Sub-Continent – Complete Motive Power Classifications and Famous Trains – 1860–2011) (1st ed.). Garden View, Johannesburg, South Africa: Vidrail Productions. p. 231. ISBN 9 780620 512282.
  5. ^ The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.