<kuid:193148:1440> SAR 500 Class #502

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This content is updated and rereleased with the kind permission of Rob Shaw. Rob Shaw's eula apply's.

SAR 500B Class 4-8-4

As a result of historical poor planning, mismanagement and at times corrupt parliamentary interference, operating losses on the South Australian Railways were proving unacceptable by the early 1900's. Government acknowledged the need for rehabilitation, and Sir Henry Barwell searched the globe for a Chief Commisioner with the experience to bring about change.

W.A.Webb arrived from the USA in 1922 and after a short period of observation, began to announce his plans for the SAR. A primary feature of the Texan's vision was a reduction in train-miles run by means of a 'big engine' policy. Efficiency would come from larger locos hauling larger loads of the highest capacity cars. The public were tantalised by Webb's plans for a kind of locomotive the likes of which was never before seen in Australia.

After a thorough evaluation had been made of the route traversing the notorious Mt Lofty Ranges, tenders were called for three new types of heavy duty locomotives; a 4-8-2 'mountain type' for general traffic; a 4-6-2 'pacific' for express passenger work; and a 2-8-2 'mikado' for heavy freight.

Built by Armstrong Whitworth & Co in the UK, and based heavily on drawings prepared for ALCo's submission, the 500 Class 4-8-2 entered service in 1926. Capable of lifting 500 tons over the Adelaide hills and over 1200 tons North to Terowie, the new 'mountain' type immediately took charge of the Melbourne Express as far East as Tailem Bend.

During the late 1920's, experiments were made with a booster engine contained in a four wheel trailing truck. Testing proved very succesful and from 1929, a process began of rebuilding the Class as 4-8-4's. The 10 locomotives of the Class were reclassified 500B, the B indicating Booster installation.

The term 'mountain type' captured the imagination the South Australian public and press alike, and was often applied to any big engine on the SAR. The 500B continued to be known as 'mountain type', long after their conversion to 4-8-4.

During the 1930's, railways around the world were adopting streamlined styling, and South Australia was no exception, introducing a streamlined passenger engine in it's Centenary year of 1936. The 620 Class light pacifics were the first streamlined locomotives in Australia; their bright green paint and matching 'Centenary' stock were typical of this flamboyant time. The premier 'overland' express by comparison looked rather unimpressive; and the 500B's in charge looked as crude black beasts with their assortment of external pipes and gadgets. as part of improving the Overland's image, the 500 Class received streamlined styling obviously inspired by Southern Pacific's Daylight services. An outer cladding was added to the boiler to conceal most of the piping, and minor re-arrangements of the design resulted in a sleeker more up to date appearance. with the introduction of the 900 Class diesel electrics in 1951, the 500B's were gradually superceded as the Overland's champions of the Adelaide Hills, and the Class like most great steamers ended their days working less prestigious freight services. Class leader number 500 was earmarked for preservation, to be displayed by a leading industrial company, but the cost of the project was unfortunately found too great. By July 1962, all but one member of the Class had fallen to the cutter's torch; fortunately 504 remains safely preserved undercover at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide.
boiler Pressure 200 psi
builder Sir W.G Armstrong Whitworth - Newcastle on Tyne
driving Wheel Diameter 5Ft 3inch
coal Capacity 12 tons
cylinders 2 (external) 26 x 28
grate Area 66 ft
introduced 1926
length (over couplers) 83' 11
maximum Axle Load 22 tons, 7 cwt 2 qtr
road Numbers 500-509
tractive Effort 59,000 lb
water Capacity 8,300 gallons
weight Roadworthy 218 tons 13 cwt
wheel arrangement 4-8-4 Northern